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Jesus is long-suffering. He hates sin, but He withholds judgment upon sinners until the full measure of His anger He deems is ready to be poured out onto the world. The greatest news is, God sent His Son to absorb all of God's wrath for sin onto Himself, so that those who repent and believe would not have to endure that same wrath.
However, those who reject Jesus and His substitutionary atonement, disbelieve His death and resurrection, fail to adopt His Gospel, do not repent, will endure the wrath of God for their sins. Jesus is longsuffering, but He is not a patsy. He's not even tolerant. He hates sin and He hates all who do iniquity. (Psalm 5:5). At some point, He will unleash all His wrath and the world will then know just how much He hates sin.
That unleashing is called the Tribulation, (Matthew 24:9) also The Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). Jesus said the wrath is stored up for individuals and for the world. He will unseal 7 seal judgments, which are the first set of three series of judgments which include Trumpet Judgments and Bowl Judgments (or four, if you count mysterious Seven Thunders of Rev 10:4).
"calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17)
Jesus literally releases the full strength of His wrath and also unleashes Hell upon earth. The times will be unimaginable for the people left behind on earth after the rapture. The mind cannot comprehend its horrors.
I've mentioned His wrath, but next let's discuss His grace. One of the amazing things about God's grace is that He continues to reach humans with the news of His forgiveness. We are wretched creatures, constantly rebelling and opposing Him. Yet He extends the hand of grace and many have believed and many more will believe, even in the Tribulation. (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 7:17).
Throughout the Tribulation Jesus sends many messengers with the Good News. He extends His grace even amid wrath. He seals 144,000 to super-evangelize the world. The martyrs themselves are a witness for Him due to their willingness to die for His name. He sends His Two Witnesses (I suspect they will be Enoch and Elijah) to testify of Him. And He sends three angels who proclaim the eternal Gospel, speak of judgment on Babylon, and warn of eternal doom if anyone takes the mark of the Beast. By this time, every nation, tribe and tongue will have heard the Gospel. (Revelation 14:6). Jesus forgives all, every sin, and this continues throughout the first part of the Tribulation, just as it had since the age of Grace began when Jesus rose from the dead, having atoned for every sin. He forgives all sins, except for one. There is one sin that is unforgivable.
Taking a break from the overview of the Tribulation's wrath and the run-up to Revelation 13's Mark of the Beast, let's discuss for a moment this "unforgivable sin". It is found in Mark 3:28-29, and Matthew 12:31-32
"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
This is a very serious thing. There is one sin that a person can commit which Jesus will never forgive. What IS this sin?
The Bible Gateway blog explains it this way: it is willful rejection of Jesus in an onoging attitude of rebellion. "Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present."
The Gospel Coalition blog explains it this way: "I suggest it's a specific, active, and final choice to declare the person and work of Jesus as being demonic in origin"
Dr. Henry Morris states it as "speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible."
Dr John MacArthur describes the unforgivable sin as: "But the one who won't be forgiven is the one called the apostate who gets full exposure to the truth, full exposure to the gospel, full revelation and makes the final conclusion...it's not true, I reject Christ."
It's a sin to have heard the facts, to have had the Gospel given to you, and to make a deliberate, willful, conscious decision that it is not true, to reject it completely and utterly, and to continue in your sins. That is unforgivable.
Hebrews 2:3 mentions it: "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,"
The word neglect means to ignore, to put little value on it. Hebrews 10:26-27 also mentions this
"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
This means that if you have received full information about Christ, and reject it, it is as if you stepped over His body - which He sacrificed for your sins - and now you can only expect judgment,and in fury and fire, too.
Back to the Tribulation- In Revelation 13:15-17 there is a choice people are given. They may participate in the world economy (and thereby eat) but they have to worship the Devil to do it. Or they can reject the devil and accept Christ, but they will be hunted and killed. Here is the scripture which describes this choice: ("It" refers to the False Prophet)
"And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."
Taking the mark is a mark of worship to the devil, who by then indwells the antichrist. It is a deliberate choice given the world, to worship satan or worship Jesus. The world knows this because three angels flying at midheaven circle the globe to first give the gospel of Jesus Christ, ("Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. Revelation 14:6), to declare judgment of Babylon and third, to warn them NOT TO TAKE THE MARK.
"And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." (Revelation 14:9-11).
The people of earth by then have had the fullness of all God's revelation to them through the bible, His son, the prophets, the angels, His Church, the witnesses and the sealed virgins...if they take the mark and worship the beast, they are sinning the unforgivable sin and in a way that for the first time ever, is demonstrable and evident. In the case of Tribulation non-believers who take the mark, they are not only showing their allegiance to satan and their rejection of Jesus, they are permanently modifying their body to show their rejection of Jesus and decision to worship satan instead. They are enacting it and cementing it with their very body, by accepting the mark of the devil on them as the emblem of worship. They reject Jesus and worship of Him, and thus blaspheme the Spirit. It's over.
It is my contention that this moment divides the believers from the unbelievers in one final, conscious moment of choice. After the mark is places on the hand or the forehead, or refused, marks the final chasm between believer and non-believer.
The scriptures in Revelation 14:9 are clear: take the mark and endure wrath forever. You cannot be saved if you take the mark.
This turning point is also remarked on by the angel in Revelation 4:13a who says, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
One may ask why am I writing about this if the church isn't going to be here and we always look for Jesus and not toward satan? Because satan is adulterating this simple truth as well. As long as he can sow confusion and persuade even one person to delay their day of salvation, then he has accomplished his evil purposes. The fact of a person's devilish eternal choice in Rev. 13 matters it matters because when they enter the Tribulation, they are at extreme risk of believing the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11) and won't be able to decide.
The moral is always the same: believe on the name of Jesus Christ now. Do not delay your repentance and your appeal to Him, the Judge, for pardon. You are not promised a tomorrow. If you do receive a tomorrow, the rapture may come and you will be left behind to face hell on earth and God's wrath. When that happens, you are at risk for believing the lie and losing your soul because of the delusion coming upon the world.
Jesus Christ is worthy of honor and glory and praise and love and worship because of who He is. He is the unique Person of the universe, extending His hand of grace to you now. Your sins will have to be dealt with- either through your repentance and His forgiveness, or by your torment and punishment for them in hell forever.
However, those who reject Jesus and His substitutionary atonement, disbelieve His death and resurrection, fail to adopt His Gospel, do not repent, will endure the wrath of God for their sins. Jesus is longsuffering, but He is not a patsy. He's not even tolerant. He hates sin and He hates all who do iniquity. (Psalm 5:5). At some point, He will unleash all His wrath and the world will then know just how much He hates sin.
That unleashing is called the Tribulation, (Matthew 24:9) also The Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). Jesus said the wrath is stored up for individuals and for the world. He will unseal 7 seal judgments, which are the first set of three series of judgments which include Trumpet Judgments and Bowl Judgments (or four, if you count mysterious Seven Thunders of Rev 10:4).
"calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17)
Jesus literally releases the full strength of His wrath and also unleashes Hell upon earth. The times will be unimaginable for the people left behind on earth after the rapture. The mind cannot comprehend its horrors.
I've mentioned His wrath, but next let's discuss His grace. One of the amazing things about God's grace is that He continues to reach humans with the news of His forgiveness. We are wretched creatures, constantly rebelling and opposing Him. Yet He extends the hand of grace and many have believed and many more will believe, even in the Tribulation. (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 7:17).
Throughout the Tribulation Jesus sends many messengers with the Good News. He extends His grace even amid wrath. He seals 144,000 to super-evangelize the world. The martyrs themselves are a witness for Him due to their willingness to die for His name. He sends His Two Witnesses (I suspect they will be Enoch and Elijah) to testify of Him. And He sends three angels who proclaim the eternal Gospel, speak of judgment on Babylon, and warn of eternal doom if anyone takes the mark of the Beast. By this time, every nation, tribe and tongue will have heard the Gospel. (Revelation 14:6). Jesus forgives all, every sin, and this continues throughout the first part of the Tribulation, just as it had since the age of Grace began when Jesus rose from the dead, having atoned for every sin. He forgives all sins, except for one. There is one sin that is unforgivable.
Taking a break from the overview of the Tribulation's wrath and the run-up to Revelation 13's Mark of the Beast, let's discuss for a moment this "unforgivable sin". It is found in Mark 3:28-29, and Matthew 12:31-32
"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
This is a very serious thing. There is one sin that a person can commit which Jesus will never forgive. What IS this sin?
The Bible Gateway blog explains it this way: it is willful rejection of Jesus in an onoging attitude of rebellion. "Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present."
The Gospel Coalition blog explains it this way: "I suggest it's a specific, active, and final choice to declare the person and work of Jesus as being demonic in origin"
Dr. Henry Morris states it as "speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible."
Dr John MacArthur describes the unforgivable sin as: "But the one who won't be forgiven is the one called the apostate who gets full exposure to the truth, full exposure to the gospel, full revelation and makes the final conclusion...it's not true, I reject Christ."
It's a sin to have heard the facts, to have had the Gospel given to you, and to make a deliberate, willful, conscious decision that it is not true, to reject it completely and utterly, and to continue in your sins. That is unforgivable.
Hebrews 2:3 mentions it: "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,"
The word neglect means to ignore, to put little value on it. Hebrews 10:26-27 also mentions this
"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
This means that if you have received full information about Christ, and reject it, it is as if you stepped over His body - which He sacrificed for your sins - and now you can only expect judgment,and in fury and fire, too.
Back to the Tribulation- In Revelation 13:15-17 there is a choice people are given. They may participate in the world economy (and thereby eat) but they have to worship the Devil to do it. Or they can reject the devil and accept Christ, but they will be hunted and killed. Here is the scripture which describes this choice: ("It" refers to the False Prophet)
"And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."
Taking the mark is a mark of worship to the devil, who by then indwells the antichrist. It is a deliberate choice given the world, to worship satan or worship Jesus. The world knows this because three angels flying at midheaven circle the globe to first give the gospel of Jesus Christ, ("Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. Revelation 14:6), to declare judgment of Babylon and third, to warn them NOT TO TAKE THE MARK.
"And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." (Revelation 14:9-11).
The people of earth by then have had the fullness of all God's revelation to them through the bible, His son, the prophets, the angels, His Church, the witnesses and the sealed virgins...if they take the mark and worship the beast, they are sinning the unforgivable sin and in a way that for the first time ever, is demonstrable and evident. In the case of Tribulation non-believers who take the mark, they are not only showing their allegiance to satan and their rejection of Jesus, they are permanently modifying their body to show their rejection of Jesus and decision to worship satan instead. They are enacting it and cementing it with their very body, by accepting the mark of the devil on them as the emblem of worship. They reject Jesus and worship of Him, and thus blaspheme the Spirit. It's over.
It is my contention that this moment divides the believers from the unbelievers in one final, conscious moment of choice. After the mark is places on the hand or the forehead, or refused, marks the final chasm between believer and non-believer.
The scriptures in Revelation 14:9 are clear: take the mark and endure wrath forever. You cannot be saved if you take the mark.
This turning point is also remarked on by the angel in Revelation 4:13a who says, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
One may ask why am I writing about this if the church isn't going to be here and we always look for Jesus and not toward satan? Because satan is adulterating this simple truth as well. As long as he can sow confusion and persuade even one person to delay their day of salvation, then he has accomplished his evil purposes. The fact of a person's devilish eternal choice in Rev. 13 matters it matters because when they enter the Tribulation, they are at extreme risk of believing the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11) and won't be able to decide.
The moral is always the same: believe on the name of Jesus Christ now. Do not delay your repentance and your appeal to Him, the Judge, for pardon. You are not promised a tomorrow. If you do receive a tomorrow, the rapture may come and you will be left behind to face hell on earth and God's wrath. When that happens, you are at risk for believing the lie and losing your soul because of the delusion coming upon the world.
Jesus Christ is worthy of honor and glory and praise and love and worship because of who He is. He is the unique Person of the universe, extending His hand of grace to you now. Your sins will have to be dealt with- either through your repentance and His forgiveness, or by your torment and punishment for them in hell forever.
Comments
Hi Elizabeth. It's interesting that you would post this right now. I've been following a discussion thread on a Christian message board where someone posted this audio link. What are your thoughts on it?
ReplyDeletehttp://5ptsalt.com/2013/10/16/john-macarthur-take-the-mark-of-the-beast-still-be-saved/
Hi Alice,
DeleteIf you have been following this on a Christian forum, then bring me up to speed. What's the upshot?
By upshot, do you mean what is their consensus? I think they are very shocked, dismayed and disappointed that MacArthur, DeYoung and Howse all believe this. Others have expressed that these are, after all, just men, and therefore fallible, and we should pray for them during this time of great deception. Also, someone said we should pray that no one be led astray by their possible error.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing has been weighing on my heart since I first read the thread last week. I keep wondering if there's something that they are seeing in scripture that I'm not.
Thanks for the summary Alice. Hmmm, it sounds interesting.
DeletePhil Johnson write about the issue this week at Grace to You, here
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B131030
First, I am sorry so many are shocked and dismayed. It is a variant of interpretation but it's not the end of the world. A shocking and dismaying error in my opinion is Billy Graham denying Jesus as the exclusive way to heaven. THAT is something that weighs heavily on me. Or Beth Moore claiming that Jesus gave her direct revelation that the bride doesn't believe in Him. THAT weighs heavily on me. That a pastor says that taking the mark isn't necessarily unforgivable, doesn't weigh heavily. I don't believe people will be led into error by it. Perspective is important.
I think it is a good idea to pray for all pastors during this time. In no way do I believe John MacArthur is deceived. He is one of the most solid pastors and teachers on the planet. But it is always a good idea to pray for pastors and leaders, we are told to do so in the bible.
Ultimately, I look for Jesus and not the antichrist. This business of the mark will take place long after we are gone, and our job is to preach Christ while we're still here. He forgives all sins, except the one sin of rejecting Him. What a great glory!
I'm with you 100% on this, Elizabeth. I can't see it any other way. I think that it is the perfect explanation, taken in context with other Scriptures.
DeleteAnother scripture which people misinterpret which ties in with this is Rev.14:6-7. The eternal gospel is the announcement of divine judgment upon the wicked in the coming Great Trib. It is good news for those suffering believers in the trib. because it is heralding their coming deliverance. The earth dwellers, here, are the nations. They are told to worship God and fear Him. They knew this but chose to worship satan instead. Those with the Mark cannot turn and repent but God's command still stands to do so.
In the beginning of Rev.14 the restoration of Israel begins, with the firstfruits, the marking of the 144,000. And then 12 and 13 seems to deal with the Jews. Interesting way they are described in vs.12 makes me wonder who they are. I think(mho), they might just be the Jews who still hold to the Ten Commandments and Jesus is preserving them, by his faithfulness, as talked about in Romans 11:25-32, until he arrives at the Second Coming, and they see Him and say "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord". And see their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, recognizing the nail prints in His hands.
Again, this is just my humble opinion. Maybe this is why the Apostle Paul was so driven to preach to the Gentiles, knowing that when they all had come in,Ro.11:25, then all Israel would be saved.
Maranatha!
pam
Thanks pam, you're insightful as always. I loved your link from Gentiles to Jews and Romans 1. I love that verse too.
DeleteI believe satan is trying to foment a controversy with this, in addition to delaying anyone from repenting (deceiving them into thinking they can do it later.) As for John MacArthurs and Grace To You's part in this, well, their preaching on the verses goes back 30+ years and over several sermons. After the Strange Fire conference, which was DRENCHED in godliness and the Spirit, and outside the conference it was DRENCHED with satan agitating his minions, there will of course be blowback from any and all quarters. Pick, pick, pick, and blow stuff out of proportion.
I agree about Rev 14 and the eternal gospel. How can people who have had direct and supernatural revelation from God about what to do and what not to do, have seen His wrath unfold, have watched myriads die for His name, and still reject Him, be saved? Answer, I do not believe they can, I think this is a manifestation of the unforgivable sin on a mass scale.
Elizabeth, well said. I also am of the "Enoch and Elijah = two witnesses" persuasion. One reason I lean that way is because they are the only two people in Scripture described as having been bodily raptured, hence they can come back just as they left... :) Though some people say it will be Moses and Elijah due to the nature of the miracles the two witnesses are able to do.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, as you said, Scripture is clear, the "mark" is a delineation where people choose sides, and there's no turning back.
Blasphemy of the Spirit - yes I agree, I see it as a decisive, final rejection of Christ. In the times of Christ's first coming, people committed it when they said Jesus was possessed by the devil, and that's how He did His miracles. I shudder even typing that, but that is what the Scripture reports, see Mark 3:
Mark 3
22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons."
Then read vs 23-30.
So the Scribes and everyone else who agreed when them, wholly and completely rejected who Christ was (and is) - making it the unforgivable sin. Likewise, taking the mark is a decisive rejection of Christ, and a deliberate embrace of satan. When you utterly, consciously reject who Christ is in this manner, salvation is impossible.
Regarding the 5 pt salt link - I do agree with you, it seems right now that satan is ramping up end times confusion. Anything to get people away from the Truth and the Light. Dredging up that 30+ year old audio clip of John MacA's is one such way. Of course, you cleared that issue up in one of your previous blog posts, showing that MacArthur's stance is correctly "take the mark and perish".
A helpful note to you and your readers: the authors of 5 pt salt are strongly opposed to MacArthur's Biblically correct end time teaching.
-Carolyn
I had to chuckle when you mentioned 5pt.salt. Visited that blog before. I'd say strongly opposed is putting it mildly. I tried to get him to explain some of the Scriptures that refer to prophecy and he got really mad at me............
Deletepam
I think that is the blog that vehemently opposes the pretrib rapture too, if I remember right.
DeleteElizabeth, Pam,
DeleteRegarding saying 5 pt salt is "strongly opposed" to MacArthur's end times teachings, just fyi, I tend to sometimes be "diplomatic" and careful with my words, especially when speaking online with- or in the presence of- unfamiliar people.
That and, if I may add this, some of the "big boys" in the Christian blogosphere are not terribly charitable toward Christian women, especially any believing women who understand sound doctrine and have good discernment. (There I go again, with my diplomatic speech...). So I steer clear of a lot of blogs, and refrain from comments.
After all, if these men are so bold in teaching doctrinal error, and have the temerity to speak and act so inappropriately toward an elder like John MacArthur, how pray tell would I expect them to treat "little ole' me", a nobody Christian, and a woman at that...?
-Carolyn
I am conditioning myself to believe that the the rapture will not take place until after the great falling away and the introduction of the Antichrist. I wanted to believe that believers will be raptured away but it seems there is a lot of evidence in scripture pointing to the rapture only after the falling away and the appearance of the antichrist and that Paul said to not be deceived to believe that the Church will escape the tribulation.
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely terrifies me thinking about these end times...how do other people not let it obsess them? I accepted and trust Jesus as my Savior and repented of my sins and will not willfully turn back to them so why do I feel so scared? Does this mean I am not really saved? I am also concerned for my nieces and nephews as they or their children may likely be facing the tribulation, if not my generation (I'm almost 40) and in no way do I want any of them to fall away or take the mark of the beast.
What is the best way to teach them to hold steadfast to Jesus, no matter what happens? I'm devastated to know that they (as well as countless other children) will be facing some horrible events in their more mature years and petrified that they will fall away...I want to see all my family members and people close to me in Heaven. Of course, I wish everyone in this world would come to accept and know the Lord but that is not going to be the case.
Hi Anonymous,
DeleteYou don't have to condition yourself to face the wrath of God. There is no condemnation for us now. (Rom 8:1).
You said there is a lot of evidence in the bible for a post-tribulation rapture? Can you share some of it?
I think you're referring to one verse that I deduce from your paraphrase of it. Correct me, but I think you're referring to Paul in 2 Thess 2:2-3
at you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
Paul is talking about the Day of the LORD< AKA Judgment Day. Not the rapture. As a matter of fact it is a good text to read for a pre-trib rapture. The Thessalonians were all alarmed and upset, because someone had told them they were in the Tribulation and had missed the rapture. Paul is reassuring them here, saying they would have no cause to be alarmed because they will be raptured before the man of sin is revealed and God's wrath is unleashed.
Here is John MacArthur's sermon on 2 Thess 2:1-5. An excerpt. I recommend the whole sermon, You will be reassured as the Thessalonians were :)
Now they knew enough about the day of the Lord to know the day of the Lord was a time of God's final judgment. But as they looked at all the persecution going on and all of the hostility against them, some of them concluded that they were actually in the day of the Lord and had missed the Rapture and got caught up in the day of the Lord. This seems almost unthinkable because in the first letter, just a few weeks before, Paul had explained to them about the Rapture, chapter 4 verses 13 to 18, some of them worried they miss the Rapture, they were worried that some had died and missed the Rapture so he says, "No, when the Rapture comes the dead in Christ rise first, you'll be caught up, so whether you're alive or whether you're dead you're going to go, you can't miss the Rapture." If you're a believer you're either going to go out of the grave or you're going to go from the earth up. So you won't miss the Rapture.
Furthermore, some of them were thinking they were in the day of the Lord so in chapter 5 he says you're not in the day of the Lord, you are not of the darkness, you are not of the night, you are children of the day, the day of the Lord isn't something you're involved in. That is darkness, that is night, that is judgment, not for you. So he already told them...you didn't miss the Rapture, and the Rapture is before the day of the Lord, you're not in the day of the Lord because it never was for you.
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/53-7/the-coming-man-of-sin-part-1
Hi Elizabeth and thank you for replying.
ReplyDeleteI do not know the Bible beginning to end as I have not read it cover to cover yet (still working on it) but yes, that is the verse I have seen people refer to when arguing that the church will not be raptured before tribulation begins. It seems there is confusion as to whether the "second coming" is the same as the rapture, and some say that is not what the Bible says, that that would mean Jesus comes a third time...?? As you can see, I am very confused.
Some also point out that the great falling away will happen when believers realize that they must endure the tribulation before the Rapture, and be very upset, therefore causing the masses to fall away from the faith.
I have been watching a lot of videos (Left Behind or Let Astray?) on Youtube and one of the videos of Good Fight Ministries is where there were a lot of arguments in the comments section of those who believed Pretribulation Rapture was an error and that John MacArthur is wrong when he says that those who take the mark of the beast can still be saved - but you just said in your article that taking the mark is the unforgivable sin and yet, you agree with John MacArthur's stance that believers will be raptured before the tribulation...?
I agree with you there is confusion as to the event of the rapture and the second coming. However there need not be. The rapture is an event distinct from the second coming. They are two different things.
DeleteIn the rapture Jesus does not come all the way to earth, He calls us up. Therefore there are technically two times He comes, His first incarnation, and the second time when His feet touch down on the Mount of Olives. (Zechariah 14:4)
Believers never fall away from the faith. If they study the bible with the Holy Spirit in them, eventually they will grow to realize that they will not go thru the Tribulation because that is distinctly a punishment for unbelieving Israel (The Time of Jacob's Trouble Jeremiah 30:7) and also for the unbelieving world.
Yes, taking the mark is unforgivable. Yes, I agree with the bible's stance that the rapture will happen before the wrath unleashed on the world.
Once you understand the plan God has for Israel and fold in OT verses and passages, you'll understand too. I encourage you to search this blog for the many (9 or 10? I lost track) essays why the pre-trib is scripturally sound. Also I discourage you from reading comment sections on most blogs, Youtube, and Facebook. A lot of undiscerning people post incorrect theology. I advise instead to find a biblically solid preacher who preaches book-by-book, and learn from him. It's a safer bet that on those pastors' blogs, the theology is more sound. MacArthur obviously is a pastor I recommend. I also recommend Phil Johnson, Don Green, S. Lewis Johnson and Martyn Lloyd Jones. As well as Charles Spurgeon (but you'll have to read Spurgeon since he lived in the 1800s ;)
Hello again Elizabeth and thank you yet again for replying.
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't understand then, how there can be so many "falling away" if it wasn't for the fact that the tribulation starts first (hence, believers who are crushed that the rapture didn't happen and tribulation has started and the Antichrist has come on the scene). If it wasn't for that, why would there be a great falling away to begin with? I reckoned this to mean that people who thought as believers they would be raptured but find themselves instead at the beginning of the tribulation period find it hard to swallow the coming hardships they know they will have to endure, but lose faith and walk away...
Also, I was wondering, is the Antichrist fully human, born just like everybody else? Or is the to be someone who just mysteriously appear with no known family background or anything like that? And how can this person really be said to have "free will" if God designated this person to reject Him and blaspheme Him, for the purpose of fulfilling prophecy?
Your interpretation of falling away seems reasonable.
Deleteyes, the antichrist is fully human. he's a man.
Here is an essay on free will.
http://www.gotquestions.org/free-will.html
So if a person worshiped the adversary long ago, but found the truth and preyed for forgiveness and turned to Jesus for salvation, are they forgiven?
ReplyDeleteBefore death, if a person prays for forgiveness for their sins to Jesus and lives a life bearing fruit as proof of their repentance, yes they are forgiven. People cannot be forgiven after death, or if they take the mark of the beast.
DeleteHi, I've had some trouble in my mind and fear is consuming me:
ReplyDeleteThings about this have been going into my mind and it scares me because it's like demons or satan has been luring me into this, or I don't know, but, is it possible to get forgiven for the mark if you repent? Is it possible to get that thing before the tribulation, like for example right now? And to repent right now? I'm scared
It is not possible to receive the mark of the beast prior to the tribulation. Not at all. No way. You will not accidentally get it. Here are the verses
DeleteRev 13:15-17
The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
it is a mark of worship. The world will be in such turmoil and the antichrist would have appeared, you can't NOT know what the mark is when it comes. An angel will have been flying around mid-heaven announcing to the earth's people not to take the mark. You cant miss it. (Rev 14:9-12)
Since the rapture will take place before the tribulation, if you are in Christ as a repented, justified, born again believer, you will NOT be on earth even to worry about any of this.
As far as repenting, there are two kinds. One is the first time you repent of sins and fall on Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is the moment you are born again. From that moment on you are in right standing with God as a child of His, fully wiped free of the guilt of sin (since Jesus took your punishment, no punishment rests on you).
The second kind of repenting is the kind we do after the born again moment. We still sin, since we still inhabit this body with its fleshly desires. If you lied to someone or stole something from work, or was unreasonably angry, you sinned. You ask the Lord or forgive you of that and He will. Not repenting doesn't mean you will undo your salvation. But not repenting of our daily sins in life means we are clouding our relationship with Jesus by putting in in between us, and it dishonors him too.
If you think demons are luring you then that means more than likely you have given them something to grab onto, like uprepented sin or a sinful lifestyle. they have grabbed on to some kind of sin in your life to lure you. Repent to Jesus and read your Bible a lot and pray to Him. Do good to the brethren, and attend church. These things purify you and keeps the demons away. The Bible says resist the devil and he will flees from you, in that case resisting means doing the above by pursuing a holy life.
Hope this helps reassure you.
The thing is, if somebody worshipped that, BEFORE the tribulation, is it possible to get that?
DeleteMaybe I don't get it, and. I'm worried because my mind tells me things about that, and I don't want to worship that thing and I feel bad. Even if someone did like either willfully (accidentally you said wasn't possible) before the tribulation, and felt bad about it and spoke to God about it, would he be forgiven?
Also... How can I know I have the. Holy Spirit? I might be a little stupid, but I wanna know... I feel weird....
Thank you for your answer
No you cannot worship the beast and receive the mark before the Triblation. The antichrist (who is the beast, that's one of his names) has not appeared yet. The false prophet has't forced everyone yet. The mark hasn't been issued yet. The angel hasn't flown at midheaven yet. No, you can't worship the mark beforehand.
Deleteyou can however worship satan before the tribulation. There are two religions. one is worshiping satan. The other is worshiping Jesus. All false religions have adherents who worship satan. This would be Catholics, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, and people who don't worship anything at all, their default is satan.
So if you want to make sure you're saved, here are some resources. I also suggest that if "your mind tells you things" it could either mean you need a physical checkup with a doctor, or you need prayer and study in the Bible which transforms the mind.
Both these resources are free. I recommend them
Is It Real?
11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation
https://www.gty.org/resources/positions/P06/is-it-real
A Believer's Assurance: A Practical Guide to Victory over Doubt
https://www.gty.org/resources/positions/P17/A-Believers-Assurance-A-Practical-Guide-to-Victory-over-Doubt
Thank you~! It makes me feel more relief, blessings!
DeleteIt's either evil forces or OCD... Thanks for the links :)
You're welcome. Remember to resist the devil, pray to Jesus and stay close to Him :)
DeleteI too am dealing with being afraid that I could still get the mark now like with micro chip and be doomed.
ReplyDeleteLike for those people today that already have the chips or tattoos.
I just want to know for sure if that isn't the real mark.
Sorry if I ruined anything for anyone with these questions.
And what happens to those people now?
And do the people that take it feel bad about it?
The mark of the beast is an intentional, sole-purpose mark. Peeople willingly take it and they know what it is for -to worship the beast. We don't know the nature of this mark, whether it will be a chip, a tattooo, or some other kind of permanent mark. People will knowingly take the mark, it won't be an accident. Here are the veses surrounding the one of which you speak-
DeleteHe performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform [k]in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even [l]speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, [m]to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Rev 13:13-16