Answers to Post Trib Struggles with Scripture 

 

Our post-trib brothers are quick to arrive at conclusions to support their anticipation of going through “the tribulation period” (a phrase not found in scripture). The ambiguous usage of this phrase on all sides of the issue (pre-post-or mid) partly contributes to the confusion. The bible speaks of tribulation all saints will endure, and of "great tribulation" (Rv.2:22, 7:14, Mt.24:21) which is “the tribulation of those days” (Mt.24:29) or “in those days, after that tribulation”. (Mk.13:24) This ambiguity along with making light of Paul’s admonition in Rom.11:25 has resulted in their inability to rightly divide the word of truth. Technically speaking there is a pre-‘70th week’ or ‘time of Jacob’s trouble’ (Jer.30:7) rapture of the church in contrast to Israel. And of course, Israel will be in tribulation in the latter days (Dt.4:30, Lk.21:20-4) as this is the main point of “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”. (Rev.3:10)

So, we will address the frequent arguments posed against the pre-70th week rapture of the church in the following order.

1. “II Thessalonians 2:1-4 clearly says that the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture.”

2. “Matthew 24:29-31 clearly says that the rapture happens after the Tribulation.”

3. John 14:1-3 a post-trib problem

4. Revelation 20:4-6 the “first” resurrection would be the 2nd resurrection if pre-trib were true.

5. I Corinthians 15:51-54 speaks of the last trump. Revelation 11:15-19 speaks of the last trump therefore, it is post trib. 

6. Revelation 3:10 with Luke 21:34-6 is cited by some as proof of a pre-trib rapture. But is only local and or escaping death in the tribulation. 

 

One of the most common failures used as a post-trib defense is in 2 Thess.2.

1. “II Thessalonians 2:1-4 clearly says that the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture.”

This is paraded as a foolproof argument and most post-tribbers know of no possible pre-trib explanation. (Prv.18:17, 13) They are quick to point out that Paul is beseeching the Thessalonians by the rapture “by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him” v1. Followed by him stating that “the day of Christ” is not at hand but is after the falling away and the man of sin being revealed, thus conflating ‘that day’ with our gathering unto him. Peculiarly they never seem interested in why the church would be “soon shaken in mind, or be troubled” at the prospect of Jesus’ return being at hand... really! One would think the biblical response to Jesus saying “Surely I come quickly” would be “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev.22:20) If Jesus coming and our gathering unto him was at hand we would ‘rejoice with exceeding great joy’. This is what Paul told the Christians after revealing the rapture in 1 Thess.4 to this same church; that “ye sorrow not” and “Wherefore comfort one another with these words”. (v13,18) Jesus told the disciples to not let their hearts be troubled and proceeded to tell them of his coming again to receive them unto himself and the place prepared in the Father’s house in heaven. (Jn.14:1-3) Had they been taught by Paul a post-trib rapture, they would not be troubled or terrified that they were in the tribulation prior to Christ's return (Mt.24:6, Mk.13:7, Lk.21:9). Rather they would know to then look up, lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."(Lk.21:28) The coming of Christ would comfort them in that case. Furthermore the post-trib position would have Paul here comforting Christians with the coming of the man of sin, great tribulation, fearful sights and that the Lord delayeth his coming!

This however, is why he was beseeching them in v1 by the rapture of the church so as to comfort them. They were confused (by spirit or word or letter) that they had been cast into great tribulation and were shaken in mind and troubled. In contrast to our gathering unto him, when Paul mentions “that day” or “the day of Christ” he is referring to “that day” in 1:10. This is the 24 hour day at the return of Christ to the earth, preceded closely with events causing men's hearts to fail. (Mal.3:2, 4:5, Joel 2:31, Amos 5:18,20, Isa.13:6, 9, 13)

He comes in flaming fire taking vengeance with his mighty angels to punish with everlasting destruction (v7-9) when “he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe... in that day”. This is a 24 hour day within the 1000 year day. The manifestation of the sons of God; when the whole creation groans to be delivered “into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom.8:19-21), that is the millennial day and is more than 24 hours. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (1 Pt.4:7) The time is at hand. (Rev. 1:3, 22:10) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Phil.4:5) Behold, I come quickly. (Rev.1:1, 2:5,16,3:11,22:7,12,20) The millennial day is at hand, (2 Pt.3:7-12, 1 Thess.5:1-3) the 24 hour day of his return in wrath is not at hand. The fulness of the Gentile bride coming in (Rom.11:25-6, Eph.5:32) and the times and seasons of God beginning to restore Israel is at hand. Now is our salvation (resurrection) nearer than when we believed, that day is at hand. (Rom.13:11-14) Therefore "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."(v14)

That day, the “the day of thy power” is the millennial reign when Christ rules “in the midst of thine enemies” out of Zion (Psa.110) In “the day of the Lord” or “the day of God” “the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” and “the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”. (2 Pt.3:7-13) This occurs at the end of the millennial day. (Rv.20:11) Likewise the resurrection of the just and the unjust are separated by 1000 years but are spoken of as occurring "in the last day". (Rev.20:4,5:11-12, Jn.6:39-40, 44, 54, 11:24, 12:48, 5:28-9) When scripture says “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pt.3:8, Psa.90:4) it also describes 'the' thousand year period of time with 6 references in Rev.20:1-7. 

Zechariah (ch.12) refers to ‘that day’ including Daniel’s 70th week, the ‘time of Jacob’s trouble’ where “in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people” when “all the people of the earth be gathered together against it”. (v3) “In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite”; (v4) “In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David” (v8), “in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem”, “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son”. This must be upon the Lord’s return to earth when “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Rev.1:7) “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem...” (Zech.12:11) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations” and “his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem”. (14:3-4) “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.” (14:9) The trigger for these events to unfold is when he that withholdeth (yes, the church is also a he) is taken out of the way (rapture of the church). The times and seasons of the beginning of this day of the Lord is as a thief and therefore “ye have no need that I write unto you”. (1 Thes.5) The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. The mystery period related to church will end and the time of the 70th week to restore the kingdom to Israel will begin like a thief. “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:6-7)

This is not proof of a post-trib rapture but proof of answering a matter before hearing it. (Prv.18:13)

2. “Matthew 24:29-31 clearly says that the rapture happens after the Tribulation.”

Oddly, there is no rapture to be found here. It is assumed and read into the text. Let me demonstrate. According to 1 Thess.4 and John 14 (which we will detail next) the rapture is when the living and dead members of the body of Christ are ‘caught up’ to meet the Lord in the air and received unto himself to be taken to the Father’s house in heaven and ever be with the Lord; where he is we shall be also. In this passage the gathering by the angels is upon the earth. Note “the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” is upon the earth. Notice how the phrase is used in Jer.49:36 “And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.” Verse 32 of the same expands the idea with this “I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the Lord.”

The four winds are referring to all sides on the earth under heaven as is “the uttermost part of heaven” in Mark.13:27. Consider Neh.1:8-9 “Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.” “If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee”. (Dt.30:4)

The reason for the gathering is because there was a scattering, of Israel. The reason this is missed, again is ignorance of the mystery regarding the church and Israel. (Rom.11:25) Keep in memory that seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city. (Dan.9:24) Needless to say Jesus’ warnings in the Olivet discourse (Mt.24, Mk.13, Lk.21) are Jerusalem-centric. Post tribbers forget that Jews will be reading Jesus’ words. He references “abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place” “Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains”, “pray ye that your flight be not... on the sabbath day” (Ex. 31:13-17, Ezek. 20:12), “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies”, “there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people”, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”. So, we see the inhabitants of Jerusalem fleeing, scattered and being carried away captive into all nations like the warnings God gave to Israel in the Old Testament. (Lv.26:33, Dt.4:27, 28:64, 30:3-4, Neh.1:8, Jer.9:16, 30:10-1, Ezk.5:10, 6:8, 11:16-7, 20:12,20-3, 41-2, 28:25, 36:19,24, Dan.12:7, Jl.3:2) A fact curiously unimportant to post-tribbers, apparently uninterested in this mystery. (Rom.11:25-9)

This is why there is a gathering of the Jews (his elect Isa.45:4, 65:9, 22, Rom.11:28) to their inheritance when Christ returns. (Neh.1:8-9, Deut.30:3-4, Isa.11:11-2, Jer.23:3, 29:14, 31:8,10, 32:37, Ezk.11:17, 28:25, 34:13, 36:24, 37:21, 39:28) The living are gathered on the earth not in the air. (Ezek.20:33-8, Mt.25:32) This, by the way, is not a mystery as Paul points to in the New Testament regarding the Church and their gathering unto Christ in the air, to the place prepared in the Father’s house in heaven. How does he gather the elect Jews? Not by angels rapturing them up into the sky, as this is unequivocally demonstrated in the passages in the Old Testament above using the same language.

Angels took Lot out of Sodom, by taking him by the hand and walking him out. (Gen.19:14-6) God sent an Angel to lead Israel into the promised land. (Ex.23:20,23, 32:34, 33:2, Jdg.2:1) An angel fed Elijah to prepare him for his journey, for it was great. (1 Kin.19:5-7) Again, an angel told Elijah to arise and go unto the king. (2 Kin.1:3,15) God said “he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways”. (Psa.91:10-12) The “angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt” (Mt.2:13) And again, “go into the land of Israel”. (v20) The angel appeared and instructed the shepherds to go to Bethlehem (Lk.2:8-15) The angel came to the apostles “opened the prison doors, and brought them forth” instructing them to go. (Acts 5:18-20) The “angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south”. (Acts 8:26) The angel came and got Peter out of prison. (Acts 12:7-9) The only time we see angels actually carrying a believer is after death. (Lk.16:22) Maybe they can point to Ezekiel (chapter 8) where an apparent angel "put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven" as the elders of Judah sat before him. But this was "in the visions of God" and not bodily. Maybe the chariots and horses of fire will carry us up as Elijah? (2 Kin.2:11) But our transformed bodies that are like Christs could ascend up as did he. (Phil.3:21, Ac.1:9,11) More like Enoch who pleased God and was translated and did not see death before the wrath of the flood to come; who spake before of the coming of the Lord to the earth with his saints. (Heb.11:5, Jd.14)

We do find this however: “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” Isa.66:20 “Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.” Isa.49:22 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea... and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth”. “And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isa.11:11-12,15-6 “Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.” Isa.60:9 “Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.” Jer.31:8-9 When “the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion” “an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men”. Isa.35:8,10 “That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” Isa.49:9-13

Clearly this is not the mystery catching up and translating his Church to the place prepared in heaven. 

The gathering of Israel at the end (Ex.23:16, 34:22) of their 70th week is no minor subject:

Israel scattered around the earth in the tribulation by God (he will regather them).

Joel 3:1-8, Luke 21:20-24, Deut.4:27-30, 28:64-5, 30:2-4, Rev.12:14, Lv.26:33, Jer.9:16, 30:10-11, 31:10-12, Ezek. Ch.5, 6:8-10, 11:16-21, 12:14-16, 20:33-38, 41-44, 22:15, 21-22, 28:24-6, 34:5-6, 12-17, 36:16-38, Dan.12:7, Zech.7:11-8:8

Israel is regathered by Christ at the end of the tribulation when he returns.

Mt.24:31, Mk.13:27, Jer.31:8-10, 29:14, 30:10 , Isa.66:20, 49:22, 60:4, 9, 11:11-12,15-6, Isaiah 27:13, 43:6, 49:12, Ezekiel 34:13, 36:24, 39:27, Zeph.2:6-8, 3:19-20, Zeph. 3:10, 2:6-7, 8:7, 10:10, Psa. 14:7, 107:3, 126:1, Mic.7:12 (v19:20)

 

3. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

These verses pose a dilemma for a post trib rapture interpretation because Jesus is not supposed to come again receive the living believers with those that sleep in Jesus unto himself to be with him in the place he prepared in the Father’s house in heaven. He is supposed to only come to the earth. Thus, great effort has been employed to change the plain meaning of Christ’s words. Here are 8 possible interpretations of this passage I've seen so far, with the refutation following:

1.Christ’s Return at The Resurrection and the Post-Resurrection Appearances. see #3 for refutation

2.Christ’s Coming on the Day of Pentecost in the Person of the Holy Spirit to Receive us into the Body of Christ. Jesus went away to heaven and sent the Comforter, thus he did not come again. (Jn.16:7,10, Ac.2:33-4) Plus, John in Revelation spoke of the coming again of Christ.

3.Christ’s Coming to Believers at Death to Receive Him to Heaven. #1&3 are refuted by the fact that the coming of Christ was repeated to them after they saw the post resurrected Christ and were born again. And Peter and John's death was contrasted with his coming- thus not his coming at death. (Jn.21:18-23, Lk.24:44-8)

4.Christ’s Coming for the Church at the Pretribulation Rapture. Jn.14:1-3 matches 1 Thes.4:13-18. And the plain reading of John 14 is Christ will come again (descend from heaven) receive us (alive and remain) unto himself (caught up) and go to the Father where he prepared a place for us (ever be with the Lord). Let not your heart be troubled (comfort one another with these words).

5.Christ’s Coming immediately after the Tribulation. Does he come to earth receive us in the air to himself and return to heaven (place prepared) with us to immediately come back, or is that 2 second comings as they accuse pre-tribbers of? Some claim the place prepared is the millennial temple, except that is not the Father’s house in heaven. Since he will come as lightening (Mt.24:27, Lk.17:24) there doesn’t seem to be a lot of time or purpose to return to heaven to the place prepared in the Father’s house to again return to earth in an instant. There wouldn't be much time for the rewarding of the resurrected either. Some even try to disconnect Jesus' coming for us from his preparing a place for us and introduce a gap between the two ideas. Perhaps post-tribbers can appeal to a mystery here.

6.Christ’s Coming at the Last Judgment. If you mean the White Throne Judgment then he cannot come from heaven to earth to take us to heaven because heaven and earth will pass away. (Rev.20:11, 2 Pt.3:10)

7.Christ’s Coming to a Believer at Their Salvation. Refuted by the fact that the coming of Christ was told to Peter & John after they were born again. (Lk.24:45, Jn.20:22, 21:21-3) Also, his coming is spoken of in Revelation.

8.Christ’s Ever Coming into the World and to the Church as the Risen Lord. Jesus is to come again in like manner as he left, thus not him ever coming. (Ac.1:11) He will come ‘the second time’. (Heb.9:28) Plus, he is to come and receive us unto himself and not coming again to us- in which case we wouldn't go to another location.

Lest anyone should try and drag Jesus' words into obscurity, Jesus was very clear where he was going- to the Father in heaven. (Jn.14:12,28, 16:5,7,10,16-17,17:11,13) The Father’s house was the temple. (Jn.2:14-8, Dan.5:3, Psa.27:4, Zech.8:9) But the earthly temple was a pattern of the true. “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us”. (Heb.9:23-4) Christ is the high priest over the house of God which is in heaven. (Heb.10:21, Psa.102:19) No man cometh unto the Father in the holiest except through the veil, that is to say, the flesh of Christ who is the living way. (Heb.10:19-21, Jn.14:6) “The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven”. (Psa.11:4) John saw “the temple of God was opened in heaven”. (Rev.11:19) He saw an “angel came out of the temple which is in heaven”, heard “a great voice out of the temple of heaven” (Rv.14:17, 16:17) and when “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:” he saw “seven angels came out of the temple” (Rev.15:5-6) Isaiah “saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” (Isa.6:1) Moses said “Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven” (Dt.26:15) which would be “the third heaven”. (2 Cor.12:2)

 

4. Revelation 20:4-6 the “first” resurrection would be the 2nd resurrection if pre-trib were true.

The connection of the resurrection with the harvest is firstly seen in that Christ is the firstfruits. (1 Cor.15:22-3) Jesus said regarding his death- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (Jn.12:24) Paul elaborated on this theme of resurrection harvest later in the chapter (1 Cor.15), when he said “And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.” (v37-8) And “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (v44).

Paul listed the 3-fold aspect of the harvest of the first resurrection with Christ as the firstfruits, they that are Christ’s at his coming, then finally the end. (v22-3) Which is to say, the firstfruits, the harvest and last the gleanings.

Firstfruits: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: (Lev.23:10) And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. (Ex.34:22)

Harvest: (of weeks- 7 weeks of harvesting) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. (Ex.23:16) Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: (Deut.16:9-10) see Matt. 9:37-38, Lk.10:2, Jn. 4:35

Gleanings: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. (Lev.19:9) And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God. (Lev.23:22) When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. (Dt.24:19)

The first resurrection consists of firstfruits (Christ’s resurrection), the harvest (pre-70th week rapture to heaven), gleanings (post-70th week resurrection on earth). The pre-70th week resurrection of the church was a mystery (see here & here). The resurrection at the end was not, but was known before Moses by Job. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God”. (Job 19:25-7) Martha knew this as well before the revelation of the Church. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (Jn.11:23-6) Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (Ezek.37:12) This is why “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” (Heb.11:22) And why it was said to Daniel “But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” (Dan.12:13) They were anticipating inheriting their lot in the land of promise and wanted to be buried in the land. (Gen.47:29-31, 50:25) But being caught up to the Father’s house in heaven was not something they were even aware of, neither was the mystery of the the church.

 

5. I Corinthians 15:51-54 speaks of the last trump. Revelation 11:15-19 speaks of the last trump therefore, it is post trib.

We have already disposed of the misunderstanding that the last trump here is the 7th trumpet of Revelation 11. For the Lord had not yet come at the 7th trumpet but it was declared “Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come”. (Rv.11:17) The time for his coming had arrived; but he was still in heaven ready to descend (v16-7). Another disqualifier was that the angel blew that trumpet where the Lord will blow the trumpet immediately after the tribulation of those days when “the Lord shall be seen over them”. (Matt. 24:30-31, Zech.9:14-16, Rev.1:7) This would leave us with the timing of the last trump for either “they that are Christ's at his coming” or when the Lord blows the trumpet at “the end” pre- or post- Daniels 70th week. (see#4 above)

When we compare the 1 Cor.15 passage with the other last trump passage in 1 Thess. 4 we see this trump cannot be the same event as the trumpet at the end of the tribulation because it comes without signs - 5:1-3. Regarding “the coming of the Lord” he reveals “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven” (1 Thes.4:15-16) thus he is referring to “they that are Christ's at his coming”. (1 Cor.15:23) This corresponds to Jesus' statement “I will come again, and receive you unto myself”. (Jn.14:3) Paul is speaking of the resurrection in both contexts “the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (15:52) with “and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them”. (4:16-17) He continues to show that we will go “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Jesus said this as well “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (Jn.14:3) The imminent nature of this can be compared as well. 1 Cor.15- Paul says "Behold, I shew you a mystery", thus not previously known or revealed. (Jn.16:12-3) “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (v51) “we shall be changed” (v52). And in 1 Thess.4 “we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord” (v15) “we which are alive and remain shall be caught up”. (v17) Paul continuing in chapter 5- “yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night”, without any preceding “times and the seasons”. (5:1-2)

But the main hang up here is ‘last’. Clearly there should not be any other trumps. But this is not the absolute last as there will be trumpets declaring the new moons in the millennium (Psa.81:3, Isa.66:22-3, Num.10:10) “For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob” (Psa.81:4). It would seem an excess to conclude that his people will never “Praise him with the sound of the trumpet” (Psa.150:3) again. Or “With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King”. (98:6) Or that his people will never return “to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.” (2 Chr.20:28) As when “the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets”. (2 Chr.29:26) God declares “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old”. (Amos 9:11, Acts 15:16) “And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.” (Isa.16:5) We should expect they will “set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.” (Ezra 3:10)

Nevertheless, our post-trib brothers see this as an absolute last trumpet not last in a series. Oddly they don't see an absolute 'last day' in John7:37 but rather last in a series. (Likewise here- Jn.6:39,40,44,54) But they don’t take it as far as our post-millennial brethren who see this as the end of the (‘non-literal’) millennial period when “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor.15:26) They connect this with v54 “then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” and Rev.20:14. It is fulfilled in this sense- Acts 2:16-21, Mt.2:15,17-8,23, 13:14 w/ Acts 28:25-6, Jam.2:21-3. That is, not in the literal historical sense. (How to interpret scripture.) However, since Paul is revealing a mystery here the context needs to be understood within the New Testament mystery revelation of the church. (The Mystery of the Faith- about half way down) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church regarding the last trump. (Eph.5:32) If this last trump is post-trib and not the church only then all the living Jews will be caught up and changed and not marry and bear children as in the resurrection (Lk.20:34-6). Except that they will- Isaiah 59:21, Zech 8:3-6, Isaiah 60:22, 65:20,23, Jeremiah 3:16,23:3,30: 19-20,31:27, Ezekiel 36:10-11, 37:25-26 ,47:22.

Thus, the last trump is part of the mystery of the church and when the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and the time for the beginning of Jacob’s trouble and the final week of years upon Jerusalem and the Jewish people. (Rom.11:25-8) This is imminent as we discussed. Since this last trump is imminent and “for the calling of the assembly” perhaps the previous were “for the journeying of the camps” and “the alarm of war” (Num.10:1-10, Jer.4:19) to “prepare himself to the battle” (1 Cor.14:8) Which must needs follow “the trumpet of the jubile to sound... in the day of atonement” (Lev.25:9) and “we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Rom.5:11) 

 

6. Revelation 3:10 (with Luke 21:34-6) is cited by some as proof of a pre-tribulation rapture but actually is only to one of the seven churches, not everyone. And just for protection from particular temptations in that time. Jesus did not want to take the church out of the world- Jn.17:15.

The first part of this contention is very weak since- A) These things were written to the churches- Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22. And B) The scope of the trial was “all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” not localized. Plus, immediately following Jesus informs us in V11 “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

The second part with John 17:15 is where they could gain some traction. This is positioned as a contradiction to the idea of a Pre-trib rapture- “not that thou shouldest take them out of the world”. However, even a post-trib rapture belief is in a catching up out of the world by definition. So, this objection falls on deaf ears. Our response would be as theirs, the Lord will not take us out of the world until the end of our course. Now then, the question to be begged is this- When will this catching out of the world occur? The verse mentions escaping the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”. Kept from a period of time is like being kept from winter not just the cold of winter; winter itself.

This church had been faithful and watched and were accounted worthy to escape the hour of temptation God purposed for the whole earth and all these things which shall come to pass with the beginning of sorrows until the pinnacle of the tribulation of those days and so they would escape. (Lk.21:9,36, Mt.24:29) There was a door opened before them that no man could shut; they would indeed escape. (Rev.3:8) Escape and stand before the Son when he shall appear. This is not a promise that is unconditional and related to the judgment seat of Christ before which everyone will appear regardless. (2 Cor.5:10-1, Rom.14:10-12, Jn.5:27-9) It is conditioned upon watching and praying (Lk.21:36, 1 Pt.4:7, Mk.13:33, Mt.26:41) and is given to the churches since Israel will not escape the coming time of Jacob’s trouble. (Dt.4:30, Luke 21:22-3, Zech.12:2-3, 14:2-3) They did not know whether they would be alive and remain when he came quickly, or they depart to be with Christ after finishing their course, and neither do we. These things are written unto the churches (Rv.3:13) and so we had better watch (Mk.13:33-7, 1 Pt.4:7, Jam.5:8-9). The promise of his appearing to deliver us from the wrath to come is to comfort us (1 Thes.1:10, 4:18). Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. (Tit.2:13,Phil.3:20) This hope of the coming of Christ and our resurrection when he appears is to be a helmet of salvation. (Rom.13:11-2, 1 Thes.5:8, Ac.2:26,23:6,24:15, Tit.2:13, Rom.8:23-5, Gal.5:5, Col.1:27, 1 Pt.1:3,13, 1 Jn.3:3) We are to gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, and hope to the end (1 Thes.5:8) for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ, who is our life, who when he shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory. (1 Pt.1:13, Col.3:4, 1 Jn.3:2) The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thes.3:5) We can likewise be counted worthy to escape when sudden destruction breaks out upon them that dwell upon the earth as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. (Lk.21:36, 1 Thes.5:1-3)

The “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” was at hand and will shortly come to pass. (Rev.1:1,3, 2:5,16,3:11,22:7,12,20) To try and make this a promise of escaping death to the faithful in the tribulation would contradict those who were faithful and died in the tribulation. (Rev.6:9-11, 7:9-14, 12:11, 13:7,10, 14:12-3, 17:6, 18:24, 20:4)

(more to come, maybe- checking around for better post trib points)

 

 

Preaching Christ of Contention

I agree with Paul that when men are preaching the gospel of Christ he rejoiced even though perchance they were motivated by envy, strife or vainglory and not sincerely. (Phil.1:14-8) But I want to take a moment and rebuke this pride that is too prevalent among so called ‘street preachers’ who sound more like ‘street taunters’ or 'scorners and mockers' who rail on sinners and deride them instead of preaching to win their souls. He that winneth souls is wise but if fools mock at sin what should we say of he that mocketh sinners in their sins? (Prv.11:30, 14:9) Sometimes even failing to actually preach the gospel. (1 Cor.15:1-3, Rom.2:16) Or if they do, they don’t know what manner of spirit they are of. A-men brother.

Now, I know their first response is to challenge your credentials as if that has anything whatsoever to do with the truth of the rebuke. Then they mock and say ‘ok show us how to do it more perfectly then’. This is because they are immature and emotion enslaved and cannot think rationally and control their egos. They can dish out rebukes but not graciously receive instruction. Nobody does it perfectly. So, let’s stop with the self-inflated, ego driven railing which seems to be mostly done to impress your other arrogant condescending ‘preacher buddies’ watching you ‘let ‘em have it’ hoping to be seen of men (i.e. get a lot of 'likes' and flattering comments on your videos). Thou hypocrite. Vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds which are hardened in pride, flattering themselves that they are suffering persecution for the gospel when it is for their arrogance they mostly suffer. They sound gleeful about the day sinners are forever lost in everlasting fire and eternal torments.

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Gal.5:26) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; (Phil.2:3) Can you street preach without posting videos of it for example? I hope they repent and mature and do not have their works burned up in that day. (1 Cor.3) I hope they keep street preaching, in meekness instructing those sinners who oppose themselves who are enemies of the cross of Christ. (2 Tim.2:23-5, Phil.3:18-9) I would to God we all weep more for the lost, that we are in weakness and fear and much trembling before preaching Christ and him crucified. (1 Cor.2:2-3, Psa.119:136) Is it possible that the gospel is hindered by your words? Are you making the cross of none effect by your words which you boastfully trumpet out? (1 Cor.9:12, 1:17) Time is short, we need you brethren to preach the word, but not with the spirit of James and John. Be sober my brothers.

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Lk.9:54-5

 

Resolving the Post and Premillennialist Spat (part 2)

And The Last

Now, our postmillennial brothers (some of which are the greatest Christian apologists in history- notably Greg Bahnsen my personal favorite without a close second. Not counting obviously, Cornelius Van Til who discovered and developed presuppositional apologetics by God’s grace.) conflate the stages of Christ’s coming again (for his church and with all his saints) into one single event and no literal 1000-year reign. They see Psalm 110:1 as one of their strongest indications of their view that Christ reigns from heaven until all his enemies including death are destroyed. I think they tend to take this position due to the influence of Calvinism’s ‘particular redemption’ and ‘effectual calling’ upon their interpretation.

Postmillennialism, “thus, expects the gradual, developmental expansion of the kingdom of Christ in time and on earth.” (Gentry pg.71 He Shall Have Dominion) Postmillennialism confidently anticipates a time in earth history (continuous with the present) in which the very gospel already operative in the world will have won the victory throughout the earth in fulfillment of the Great Commission. "The thing that distinguishes the biblical postmillennialist, then, from amillennialists and premillennialists is his belief that the Scripture teaches the success of the great commission in this age of the church."21 During that time the overwhelming majority of men and nations will be Christianized, righteousness will abound, wars will cease, and prosperity and safety will flourish. (Gentry pg.71 & 21 Greg L. Bahnsen, "The Prima Facie Acceptability of Postmillennialism," Journal of Christian Reconstruction 3:2 (Winter 1976-77) 66.)

“After this extended period of gospel prosperity, earth history will be drawn to a close by the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ (accompanied by a literal resurrection and a general judgment) to introduce His blood-bought people into the consummative and eternal form of the kingdom. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (Gentry pg.72-3) Gentry states, “Simply put, postmillennialism is the view that Christ will return to the earth after the Spirit-blessed Gospel has had overwhelming success in bringing the world to the adoption of Christianity.” (pg.79) They view a dispensational framework as “the defeat of Christ's redemptive work in history: the gospel of salvation, the building of His Church, and the establishment of His comprehensive, worldwide kingdom: Christendom”. (Gentry pg.121) “As God's kingdom expands in history, it produces an explicitly Christian and biblical culture - Christendom - by means of the comprehensive application of biblical law.” (Gentry pg.143) But his survey of dispensational teachers is that they diminish the influence of the church as the ‘salt of the earth’ (he says God’s word would be culturally void- pg.143) by rejecting theonomy which doesn’t necessarily follow. Pre-tribbers can believe the church is holding back the man of sin from emerging for example. A dispensationalist might be a theonomist, might be a Calvinist, or might be neither but there is nothing coherent that demands it follows despite their insistence. Gentry continues: “Christ established the kingdom and then returned to heaven to await the historical conquest of all His enemies (Acts 2:33-35; 1 Cor. 15:21-27; cf. Matt. 28:18-20). He will not return until all things have been restored under His providential rule (Acts 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:25).” (pg.368)

Gentry recognizes the interpretive importance in this discussion, but he utterly fails when addressing the ‘shall come & is come’ principle we brought up at the first. With reference to Mal.4:5 prophecy he acknowledges what the disciples did in the Matt.17 passage- “there was a widespread anticipation among the Jews that the literal Elijah would appear before the end”. “There is a literal sense in which Elijah did come during the ministry of Christ, for He appeared with Moses when the Lord was transfigured (Matt. 17:3-4; Mark 9:4-5; Luke 9:30-33).” “The evidence is really quite clear that Malachi's Elijianic prophecy was fulfilled during the ministry of Christ.” “Christ dogmatically teaches His disciples that John Baptist had fulfilled the Malachi prophecy covenantally, which the Jews did not understand.” (pg.367) “The reason why John came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1: 17), and why he should have been received as "Elijah who was to come" (Matt. 11:14), is because he was the literal fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy.” (pg.369) Actually however, John was dead at this point, Elijah has just appeared on the mount and Jesus affirms “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (Mt.17:11) One need simply read Malachi 4 and recognize the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” did not come in Jesus first appearance. Neither did the day come, “that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up”. “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” Therefore, it was not literally fulfilled and thus “Elias truly shall first come“. He would be sent to the Jews for their restoration (Behold, I will send you Elijah... v4-5) For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal.3:6) Elijah himself was to come, and his appearance on the mount with Christ was not that as Jesus himself indicated. Our interpretive principle remains intact and postmillennialism remains in confusion. Gentry does recognize some aspect of this principle as well stating interpretations are “distorted, when the "now/not yet" understanding of the kingdom is overlooked. Just as there is a "now" aspect of the Messianic Kingdom (Matt. 12:28), as well as a "not yet" aspect (Matt. 6: 10)”. (pg.299) And again: “Christ's "now/not yet" teaching elsewhere, where He contrasts the short time until the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 23:36; 24:34) with that of the long wait for the second advent to end history (Matt. 25:5, 14).” (pg.303) So, he is aware of this 'hermeneutic’ but does not apply it consistently.

A particular reading of Psalm 110:1-2 is a major cornerstone of the postmill system. Gentry sees that “it clearly anticipates Christ's enemies being subjugated by Him. But He does this while sitting at the right hand of God ("sit until,,39), not in arising, leaving heaven, and returning to the earth at the Second Advent.” (pg.200) (Presumably not a "wooden literalist" interpretation where Christ does not stand.- Ac.7:56, Rev.5:6-7) Gentry shows the scope of postmill thinking here- “Early in Christ's ministry, He declared His kingdom's approach, and then set out to establish it through preaching and teaching. Upon His coronation, Christ began ruling judicially over the nations of the earth through spiritual means rather than by the sword. He rules representatively through His covenant people, just as Satan rules representatively through his people. Those who are redeemed are members of His kingdom. As they labor for Him, they rule by spiritual and ethical power. Their goal? To see all nations baptized in Christ. The essence of Christ's kingdom is spiritual and ethical, not political and racial.” (pg.231) And as history unfolds slowly as leaven the kingdom of heaven will permeate the kingdoms of the earth. They argue that the great commission (Mt.28:18-20) is an assurance of the conversion of the world to the gospel. Otherwise "the gates of hell prevail against it”. Jesus rhetorically asked, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Lk.18:8) Postill would answer with a hearty ‘yes’! “Christ will return to a truly Christianized world.” (pg.253)

This is at odds with Paul’s warning that “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” He continued warning “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Tim.3) This fits the “end of the world” scenario Jesus described in Matt.24 as compared with the “end of the world” in the parables in Matt.13 we discussed in the first part. Jesus responded to the request for “the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world” (v3 not Jerusalem) with warnings of deception (v4-5) of the highest order (v23-6) iniquity abounding as the love of many shall wax cold (v12) wars and rumours of wars (v6) which arise from the lusts of the flesh (Jam.4:1-4). Nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places (v7) and this was just the beginning. (v8) Daniel saw “in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be” (Dan.8:19) when “the transgressors are come to the full”.  In the "appointed time" "at the end" (Hab.2:2-3), Habakkuk saw a time when "the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth." (1:4) (v23) Jesus warned us “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (Jn.16:33) Paul stated above we “shall suffer persecution”, and that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”. (Act.14:22) Instead of qualifying these teachings with ‘until the majority of mankind has converted’ Paul gave us the proper perspective that “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience”. (Rom.5:3) James said “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”. (Jam.1:1-4) We are reminded that God “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble”. (2 Cor.1:4) The question was not if but “when they persecute you” (Jn.15:20, Mt.10:23, 5:10-12, 13:21, Mk.4:17, Lk.21:12, 2 Cor.12:10, Gal. 4:29, 5:11, 6:12).

The tribulation and persecution of God’s people would stop, not after a vast majority of mankind start attending postmillennial church services, but “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven”. (2 Thess.1:7) Paul told the Thessalonians “we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”. (2 Thess.1:4-9) When Jesus comes back the judgment won’t be upon a few stragglers and hold outs but “by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” (Isa.66:16) The LORD’s controversy will be with “all the inhabitants of the earth” (Jer.25:30); “the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh” (v31) “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth”. (v33) This is when “the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev.6:17) When “the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged” and God “shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Rev.11:18) It is “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev.3:10) The “Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity”. (Isa.26:21) Not a localized event; not ‘pockets of resistance’.

Gentry describes the postmill milieu as gradualism. “This principle expects the developmental expansion of the kingdom over time. Contrary to postmillennialism, the dispensationalist and premillennialist operate on the basis of catastrophism.“ (pg.249) This is how they interpret the parables in Matthew 13. gradual leavening, seeds growing, becoming great where those nice birds eventually perch (not unclean and hateful birds- Rv.18:2, Mk.4:15). Instead of seeing that “An enemy hath done this”. (Mt.13:28,19,21-2,25 Mk.4:15,19) While the growing time is a gradual process, the harvest is in a moment of decisive catastrophic end. (Mt.13:30,39-42,49) To them leaven can occasionally mean something good in scripture because it was to be used occasionally in an offering. Which itself wouldn’t necessarily follow that conclusion as it could still represent sin even if the sacrifice is a figure of Christ, since he was made in the likeness of sinful flesh and also was made sin for us although he himself was sinless. (Rom.8:3, 2 Cor.5:21) Usually, they misunderstand the objection of the dispensationalist that it isn’t the case that the kingdom is like leaven/sin, but “like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” (v33) In other words, the kingdom is likened unto this scene and not one component of it- like the other parables. Seed’s mostly not yielding their strength, fields sown with wheat and tares, a tree with birds in it, measures of meal with leaven, a net with good and bad fish. “The millennial era has already turned out to be almost 2,000 years; it may continue another 10,000 or more for all we know.” (Gentry pg.336) Which is odd for a ‘young earth’ creationist since if this is the case the ‘last days’ would be longer than the first days by over twice the length. Which would make the days now as the first or middle and not actually the last.

The Throne of David is not the Throne of God

Another major departure of postmill understanding from scripture is regarding the throne of God and the throne of David. They believe that Christ sitting on the right hand of God is him sitting on the throne of David. We previously detailed this distinction between David’s earthly throne from God’s heavenly throne in part 1, but here are a few references- 1 Chr.17:11-15, 1 Chr.22:10, 2 Sam.7:12-4, Isa.9:6-7, 22:22-3, Luke 1:32-3, Jer. 3:16-17, 23:5-6, Matt. 25:31-32, 19:28, Acts 3:19-26, Mk.11:10, Psa.72, 89:19-37,132:11, Zech.14,8:1-8, Isa.2:1-4, 11:4-10, Isa.60.

Postmill understands it to mean that since God reigns over Israel and Christ ascended on high and sat at his right hand (Mk.16:19, Acts 2:25,33-4,5:31, Rom.8:34, Col.3:1, Heb 1:3,13,8:1, 10:12,12:2, Eph.1:20, 1 Pt.3:22, Rev.3:21) that he now reigns over Israel in David’s place. Except that David’s earthly throne in Jerusalem is not God’s throne in heaven. “The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne... For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it... There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.” (Psa.132:11,13-4,17) Not to mention the 12 apostles are not now ruling over the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel. That is to come- Mt.19:28.

Peter showed the difference when he said David “being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne”. (Ac.2:30) David “is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day” (v29) and “David is not ascended into the heavens”. (v34) David’s throne has nothing to do with heaven. Yet David “saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.” (v34-5) So this Jesus “being by the right hand of God exalted” sat on the heavenly throne. (v33) God was always Israel’s king (Ps.89:18, 149:2, Isa.43:15, 44:6) even before there was an earthly king in Israel. (1 Sam.12:12-3) But they “set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba” (2 Sam.3:10), and ‘ruling in Judah’ (Jer.22:30). That is “the throne of Israel” (1 Kin.8:20,25, Jer.33:17). Which is not “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”. (Eph.1:21) “Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father” (1 Kin.2:12) but he never sat "on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”. (Heb.8:1,12:2) When scripture says “upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne” (1 Kin.2:23) they are to be understood as “of the earth, earthy”. And although David’s throne is established by God and is thus “the throne of the LORD” (1 Chr.29:23) David reigned over Israel in Jerusalem. (2 Sam.5:5, 1 Kin.2:11) Which Jerusalem is the city of David (1 Chr.11:4,5,7, 1 Kin.8:1), and where they buried kings (2 Kin.14:20). Thus, not the “Jerusalem which is above” which “is free, which is the mother of us all” but “Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.” (Gal.4:25-6) When Jesus sat down on the right hand of God the nation Israel was under Roman occupation and was destroyed some 40 years later. Therefore, this could not be the Messianic reign of the son of David over Israel spoken of by the prophets... obviously.

So, when Isaiah prophesied- “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isa.9:6-7) It is to be understood by “the throne of David, and upon his kingdom” as from the earthly Jerusalem. The “Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Lk.1:32-3) This is upon the earth.

As we mentioned before, postmillenialists take Psa.110:1 to mean that Christ reigns over Israel from heaven until the last enemy is destroyed and thus no coming back to put down all rule and earthly dominion. So, we will next consider this interpretation of 1 Cor. 15:22-8. The order in which all those “in Christ shall all be made alive”. They see the promise “he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” and “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” as taking place as Christ reigns in heaven at the right hand of God. (The term ‘right hand’ is a metaphor for a place or position of honor and glory and strength. This is exactly how it is used dozens of places in scripture (notably in Psalms, as in 110:1)- Ex.15:6, 12, Dt.33:2, Ps.16:8, 11, 17:7, 18:35, 20:6, 21:8, 26:10, 44:3, 45:4, 48:10, 60:5, 63:8, 73:26, 77:10, 78:54, 80:15, 17, 89:13, 25, 42, 91:7, 98:1, 108:6, 109:6, 31, 110:1, 5, 118:15-6, 121:5, 138:7, 139:10, 144:8, 11, Prv.3:16, Ecc.10:2, Isa.41:10, 13, 44:20, 45:1, 48:13, 62:8, 63:12, Lam.2:3-4, Hab. 2:16, Mt.26:64, Lk.22:69, Ac.2:25, 5:31.) Now it is true that “he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” but the postmillenialists believe that the resurrection of all men occurs at the last day when Jesus comes to the earth and so death is not destroyed while he is in heaven. (Gentry, pg.246-8) So, they do not hold to a ‘gradual’ reigning from heaven until death is abolished. Psalm 110 however, gives us a 2nd advent context to placing his enemies under foot. He is reigning from Zion with his iron rod (v2, Psa.2:6-12). This is after he ”shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath” (v5, Rev.19:11-16) and “shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.” (v6) This is what we see in Rev.11:15-8 when the 7th angel sounds his trumpet the Lord is still in heaven but the time to tarry is over and it is now the time that “he that shall come will come”. (Heb.10:37) Notice that Christ is still in heaven when “there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” The 24 elders gave thanks saying “O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Cor.15:24) Thus Christ will return and execute this destruction and wrath upon his enemies.

But Psalm 110 and the second psalm have Jesus reigning in Zion on his holy hill on the throne of David just as we have been studying. When he takes “the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession”. After he “shall strike through kings” and “wound the heads over many countries”. The LORD said unto my Lord “rule thou in the midst of thine enemies”. (110:2) Not in heaven, but in the midst of nations when they are admonished “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” (Psa.2:12) Here rules the King, the "Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:3-4) “God... hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” (Ac.13:33)

So, the order we see distilling as the dew is captured in Zech 14. Jehovah will “will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle” (v2) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations” (v3) “the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem”. (v12) Then “his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east”. (v4) “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.” (v9) In that day all nations will be required to come to “Jerusalem to worship the King”. (v17) This is why we see a literal millennium- Rev.20:1-6, Zech.14:16-19, Isa.2:1-4, 11:4-10, Isa.60 for this is the plain reading to make sense of sinners living under the iron rod of the Messianic Kingdom and suffering for their sin. “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” (Isa.26:10) Jesus “shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people”. (Isa.2:4, Mic.4:3) “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” (Isa.60:12) “And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” (Zec.14:17) And when Satan is loosed again at the end of the thousand years, he will expose their hearts as he did Adam and Even in the garden. (Rv.20:7-8)

With the first resurrection those who are raised incorruptible are like the angels and cannot die anymore and neither marry nor are given in marriage (Lk.20:35-6). The promise to reign with Christ over these nations of the earth that remain is given us. They will not be resurrected in incorruptible bodies as they can sin and die (Isa.65:20, Zech.14:16-19, Isa.26:10-11, Rev.20:7-9, Mt.25:31-40), and they and the surviving Israelites will be marrying and bearing children for the thousand years. (Zech.8:3-6, Isa.11:6-8, Isa.59:21, 60:22, Jer.23:2-8) We are promised rule over the Gentiles with Christ (perhaps as here-Lk.19:15-19) as he will reign from Jerusalem from his temple seated in the holy place. (Isa.2:2-3, Jer.3:17, Zech. 6:12-13,15, 8:3, Ezk.43:5,7) And although those Jews who survive the tribulation will be delivered from their sin and corruption (Isa.60:21, Jer.23:6, 24:7, 31:31-4, 32:38-40, 33:8,16, 50:20, Isa.45:17, Ezk.36:25-33, 37:14,23, Hos.2:19-20, Mic.7:18-20), they will not have a transformed body as in the rapture. (1 Cor.15:51-3, Lk.20:33-8) But they will continue to bear children and multiply through the millennium. (Isa.59:21, 60:22, 65:19-20,23, 11:6-8, 9:6-7, Jer.3:16, 23:3, Ezk.37:25-6, Zech.8:1-6) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isa.11:9)