Why I Don't Believe in a Pretrib Rapture of the Church & Why I'm not a Dispensationalist

Many Christians today adhere to what I call “popular eschatology” (eschatology is the study of last things). Too many Christians have embraced this particular system of belief without thoroughly examining the Scriptures. The popular slant on the study of last things in America is based on a theological system called dispensationalism. A whole series of very successful fiction books called the Left Behind Series were based on this theological system.

There was a time in my life when I also believed the “popular eschatology.” Early in my Christian walk I was indoctrinated with the dispensational system of interpretation. In fact, most evangelical Christians and particularly Baptists are taught this system. I assumed dispensationalism was true because sincere and godly people taught it to me. I was not aware other interpretations existed. But as I began to study the Scriptures for myself I became extremely uncomfortable with the “popular eschatology.” It became evident to me that I would have to twist Scripture and make assumptions based upon arguments from silence to reach the same conclusions as the dispensationalists. I simply was not willing to do that. It was a very uncomfortable time for me. It’s always uncomfortable to discover that something you have sincerely believed is in error.

What are the origins of dispensationalism? In short, the Dispensational system of thought was first developed by a man named John Nelson Darby in the early 1800’s. Darby was associated with a small group known as the Plymouth Brethren, but his views eventually reached a much broader audience through the notes that C. I. Scofield included in The Scofield Reference Bible which was first published in 1909. The Scofield Reference Bible was one of the first Bibles to combine text and commentary into one volume. The Scofield Bible became very popular within Fundamentalist’s circles and its interpretation of last things was widely adopted. Dispensationalism was then taught in conservative colleges and schools where many preachers were trained. These preachers then taught it to their congregations.

Dispensationalism is system that divides world history into a series of periods that will culminate with the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth. Dispensationalists are premillenialists because they argue that conditions on earth will worsen until Christ’s return. They believe that prophecy is actually history that is written in advance so that the prophetic passages in the Bible are like a script that will be played out in the end times. They also believe that no single book of the bible contains the entire script and that verses from various parts of the Bible must be joined together like pieces of a puzzle so that people can see the whole picture.

I agree that conditions on earth will worsen until Christ’s return. I also agree that prophecy is often history written in advance. I disagree that the prophetic passages in the Bible are like a script to be played in the end times. I also disagree with the jigsaw puzzle method of interpretation. Every prophetic passage in the Bible had relevance for its original recipients. For example, the prophetic New Testament book of Revelation was written primarily to 1st and 2nd century believers in Asia. It’s apparent from reading the letters to those seven Asian churches that the prophecy’s purpose was to warn the sinning and the compromising to repent and to encourage the suffering and the persecuted to persevere. John wanted these suffering Christians to be assured that God is sovereign over the earth and in control of its history and future. God has a definite plan to defeat and dethrone the evil powers that presently rule this world. He will bring His plan to pass. God will judge the wicked and reward the righteous!

The dispensationalist approach to the book of Revelation leaves the book without any significance or relevance for the believers to whom it was originally addressed. Not only that, but dispensationalism gives false hope to Christians by promising that before things get too terrible the rapture will occur. Listen, no one in the church before 1830 and John Nelson Darby believed in a pretrib rapture of the church. I despise this teaching for two reasons. First, it totally contradicts the teaching of Scripture. Please closely examine Matthew 24:26-31, Mark 13:24-27,1 Thess. 4:13-5:13 and 2 Thess. 1:1-2:12. Second, by believing this dangerous teaching many Christians will be unprepared for the conflict and suffering that’s surely ahead. What did Jesus say on the night before he went to the cross? John 15:18-21 (NASB95) 18 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

I recognize that in America the idea Christians will suffer is not popular, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s true. In 2 Timothy 4:3 (NASB95) the Scripture says, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. The teachings of dispensationalism and the pretrib rapture of the church are very comforting and ear tickling, but I don't believe they are biblical! Don’t take my word for it. Study God’s Word for yourself and pray that the Spirit will teach you. Please let Scripture speak for itself rather than laying a theological system like dispensationalism on the text!

In closing, I want to say that in spite of my passionate dislike for dispensationalism I do love my dispensationalist brethren. I hope they will love me back and consider my appeal to let the Scriptures speak for themselves in their literary and historical contexts.

Honoring God and the Gospel

In my message yesterday from 1 Timothy 6:1-2 I preached that our attitudes and actions ought to be motivated by a desire to honor God's name and gain a hearing for the gospel, even if it means suffering some injustice or mistreatment. After all, isn't that the example our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, set for us? I encourage you to read and meditate on 1 Peter 2:18-25 if you’re unsure. You'll discover that every Christian has been called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Now it's true that in 1 Timothy 6:1-2 the apostle Paul is talking directly to 1st century Christian slaves. In verse 1 Paul says, (NASB95) All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Paul is clearly saying that these Christian slaves' actions and attitudes should always reflect positively on God and the gospel. Therefore they should never intentionally give their masters reason to speak evil of God or the gospel. Does this instruction apply only to 1st century Christian slaves or does it apply to all Christians at all times? It's my conviction the latter is true. In fact, 1 Peter 2:12 agrees saying essentially the same thing, (NASB95) Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

So beloved, are your actions and attitudes bringing honor to God and gaining a hearing for the gospel? What's your impact at your workplace, your neighborhood and in your home? Have you given anyone a legitimate reason to speak evil of God or the gospel? People are watching you! Like it or not they will judge the God you worship and the gospel you claim to believe by your attitudes and actions.

I'm grieved to say that I have failed many times in this area. Too often I have acted like the old humanity descended from Adam rather than a new creature in Christ. Each time the Holy Spirit has convicted me of my sin and selfishness. Often it took the equivalent of a spiritual 2x4 to gain my attention. I praise God for His patience with me!

When the Holy Spirit convicts me, I have learned to respond by; confessing my sin, seeking my Heavenly Father's forgiveness and asking for the desire and power to change. Then I attempt to be intentional about changing, knowing that I must rely completely on the Spirit's empowering presence in my life for victory. I know cannot change on my own. Past failures have etched this truth in my mind! But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! So can you! Will you cooperate and submit to the Holy Spirit so that your actions and attitudes always bring glory to God and make the gospel attractive. That's my prayer for you and I today.

In God's love and for His glory,

Pastor Rick

Unity

Ephes. 4:1-6 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, [3] being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

In the late 1800’s there were two deacons in a small Baptist church in Mayfield, KY. These two deacons didn’t get along and they always opposed each other in any decision related to the church. On one particular Sunday, one deacon put up a small wooden peg in the back wall so the preacher could hang up his hat. When the other deacon discovered the peg, he was outraged that he had not been consulted. People in the church took sides and eventually there was a spilt. To this day, they say you can still find the Anti-Peg Baptist Church in Mayfield, KY.

One of the worst things that can happen in a church is when God’s people begin to fight instead of working together. Yet it happens all the time. History is full of sad stories about Christians fighting among themselves. Let me share one that I recently read.

Tradition claims that Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher is built over the cave in which Christ is said to have been buried. In July 2002, the church became the scene of ugly fighting between the monks who run it. The conflict began when a Coptic monk sitting on the rooftop decided to move his chair into the shade. This took him into the part of the rooftop courtyard looked after by the Ethiopian monks.

It turns out that the Ethiopian and Coptic monks have been arguing over the rooftop of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for centuries. In 1752 the Ottoman Sultan issued an edict declaring which parts of the Church belong to each of six Christian groups: the Latins, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Copts, and Ethiopians. Despite the edict, conflict over the church remains.

The rooftop had been controlled by the Ethiopians, but they lost control to the Copts when hit by a disease epidemic in the 19th century. Then in 1970 the Ethiopians regained control when the Coptic monks were absent for a short period. They have been squatting there ever since, with at least one Ethiopian monk always remaining on the roof to assert their rights. In response a Coptic monk has been living on the roof also, to maintain the claim of the Copts.

This brings us to a Monday in July 2002, when the Coptic monk moved his chair into the shade. Harsh words led to pushes, then shoves, until an all out brawl ensued, including the throwing of chairs and iron bars. At the end of the fight 11 monks were injured, including one monk unconscious in hospital and another with a broken arm.

How tragic that a church which serves as a memorial to Christ is the scene for such bitter conflict among those who claim to be his followers. This is a far cry from Christ’s call to love one another, turn the other cheek, and his prayer that his followers might "be one".

When the church is divided it always produces tragic results. On the other hand, when the church is unified it unleashes a power that cannot be stopped. In the book of Ephesians, more than any of Paul’s letters, he calls the church to unity. Paul mentions the unity of the church 18 times in this letter. You see, unity is essential in the church because it brings glory to God and it reflects one of God’s key attributes. Moments before he went to the cross, Jesus prayed for the church that would be established after his death and resurrection. He didn’t pray for large buildings or church growth. He asked for only one thing: “I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” If we’re going to be the kind of people God intends, then we need to be unified.

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

This verse doesn't teach that we should seek popularity for its own sake. In fact, popularity can disappear just as quickly as wealth. Neither does it counsel us to continuously wonder what other people think of us or labor to get them to like us. Popularity can be a stumbling block in fulfilling God’s will. Note Paul’s words in Galatians 1:10. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Today’s verse means we should live consistent lives that are above reproach. This applies particularly to money; we must be seen to be honest in the way we acquire it and wise in the way we use it. As Christians we bear Christ's name and his reputation is linked with ours. People are prone to judge our Lord by us.

May God grant us the grace and the wisdom to seek a good name over riches. Having a good name and reputation because of good character is to be valued far above having much wealth. Riches are useless if in gaining them one ruins his character.

James 1:19-27 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. [21] Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. [26] If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. [27] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

I believe James’s teaching in this passage needs to be proclaimed in every church in America. God is not fooled by people who come to church, listen to the Word of God proclaimed, and yet never act on what they hear. God is not fooled by people who claim to believe His Word when in fact their lives remain unchanged.

Do you know that 60 percent of Americans claim to be “born again” believers? Listen, if this were actually true America would be a different country. The sexual immorality, materialism and selfishness that presently pervade this nation would be greatly diminished. Our politicians and judges would not get away with calling good evil and calling evil good. Over 50 percent of all marriages would not end in divorce. If 60 percent of Americans were truly Doers of the Word righteousness would prevail in America and spill over into uttermost parts of the earth. As it stands today, America’s greatest export is filth and wickedness.

What about you this morning? Are you a Doer of the Word or merely a hearer who has deluded yourself? Are you a person who claims to be believer, but yet your life remains unchanged? Is your faith dead or alive? Folks this is so important! Listen, church goers do not inherit eternal life. Hearers of the Word only do not inherit eternal life. So called believers with dead faith do not inherit eternal life. Only Doers of the Word inherit eternal life! That’s why I am sharing this message. I want each and every one of you to inherit eternal life. My Heavenly Father desires that none should perish but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth! Please hear and respond to His Word this morning.

Now I want you to understand that James is not saying and I am not saying that you earn salvation by doing. Salvation comes to us through faith in Jesus Christ. If you have faith in Jesus Christ you will become a “Doer of the Word.” Saving faith changes your life! Dead faith leaves you just as you are!

Christian, are you a Doer of the Word or a forgetful Hearer? Do you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in continually stripping off the old humanity? Are you humbly receiving and submitting to the Word. Is it your “how to guide for life?” Or are you conveniently picking and choosing what you’ll obey and what you’ll ignore. To do so is the height of pride. As James will say later “God gives grace to the humble but He resists the proud.” Do you feel like God is resisting you? Maybe you need to examine your life more closely this morning. If God is resisting you it’s due to the fact you have been to proud to do things His way. Are you abiding in the Word? Is your life marked by self-control, acts of service to meet the needs of others and holiness? Are you a Doer of the Word? Don’t be deceived! Only Doers of the Word inherit eternal life because their faith is genuine!

Folks let me clear up any confusion you might have. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works. But if we are truly saved then we shall be Doers of the Word! If you are a Hearer only and not a Doer your lost! If you claim to be believer and there is no fruit or “works” to use James’s words, to verify or prove genuine your faith then you’re lost! So I ask again; are you a Doer of the Word? If not, then the first step in becoming a Doer of the Word is believing in the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Will you turn away from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ? Will you become a Doer of the Word?

Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin"?

This proverb is put in the form of a question: "who can say?" Of course the answer is “no one”. This proverb proclaims the universal sinfulness of the human heart. This sad reality is confirmed in other Scriptures such as Romans 3:10 which says, “There is none righteous, not even one.”

You’ll notice the proverb is in the first person singular because each of us individually has to realize and acknowledge our sinfulness. Many struggle with the concept of total depravity in our politically correct and theologically inept society. But total depravity alone explains why behave as we do. There is no other explanation. Those who are bewildered by humanity’s deceitfulness, selfishness and violence have never faced up to this horrifying truth.

The bad news is “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The good news is, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-26)

Do you want to have a cleansed heart? Keep looking to Jesus!

Don't Blame God

Proverbs 19:3 NLT People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

This truth of this verse has been confirmed often in my ministry. I have known many people who have chosen to live as if God did not exist or like He is irrelevant. They foolishly chose to ignore God’s revelation and they rejected the wisdom of His Word. Eventually they reaped the results of their rebellion and folly; a ruined life.

Some of those shattered souls cried out to the Lord for forgiveness, accepting responsibility for their sinful and foolish rebellion. In His mercy and grace, the Lord forgave them and slowly rebuilt their ruined lives. But far too many became angry and bitter at God. Instead of asking for forgiveness and repenting of their folly, they angrily cursed Him. They blamed God and anyone else within pointing range for the destruction caused by their own foolish choices. Their bitterness separated them from the only One who could repair their broken lives.

Is your life a mess? Don’t give into the temptation to angrily blame God for your foolish choices. Instead, confess your folly and seek His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Col. 2:16-23 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. [18] Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, [19] and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. [20] If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— [21] "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" [22] (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? [23] These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Some time ago, I was watching the TV game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. One of the questions was how did God first appear to Moses. The man correctly answered in a burning bush. The shows host responded, “That’s right yes He did.” Then she said, “Actually we don’t know if God is a man or a woman.” Her remark is representative of the religious confusion in our country. Most people in this nation have no idea who God is or what He requires of them. I refer to God as He because this is how the Bible refers to Him. It is true that God is not a man. The Bible says God is spirit. John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

I told you this story because it exemplifies what is happening in our nation. Unfortunately it also exemplifies what is taking place in the church. Many people are being led away from faith in Christ by false religious teachings and philosophies. These false teachings and philosophies are not new. The church has had to deal with them from its beginning. In fact, every book in the New Testament except Philemon mentions the dangers of false teaching. In Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation He warned and rebuked the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira because they had allowed themselves to be influenced by false teachers. I wonder what Christ would write to the church in America today. I am sure He would also rebuke and warn us!

Man is a very religious creature. He is going to worship something even if it means worshiping himself. Because of man’s religious nature and his sinfulness many religions have been developed. Unfortunately these religions serve as religious substitutes for the true faith in Christ. Many of these substitutes are very deceptive because they use Christian terminology. We must not let this fool us. False religion will always provide some other way to God than Jesus Christ. My goal in sharing this devotion is to help you recognize and avoid these religious substitutes. This morning’s text describes three specific religious substitutes for faith in Jesus Christ. They are legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. Every false religion or philosophy is based upon one or a combination of these religious substitutes. Dear People of God, beware of any so-called religious substitutes for Christ!