An honest question for post-trib, etc theologians

There is a difference between imminent and what the bible states about the return of Jesus. Imminent means its right on the verge of happening. What the bible states is we don't know when. It might be sooner or it could very well be later. That can and has been far off from imminent. We still don't know when but as the season approaches it is possible for us to recognize its close. All we have to look for is recorded in Matthew 24.

 

I'm back.

I am amill and posttrib. Firstly, in my early Christian life, I was premill and pretrib. Because I attend independent fundamental baptist church in my early Christian life. It teaches premill and pretrib. I used to believe it, I thought IFB always teaching with truth and correct doctrine. Because of word, 'fundamental' that they saying, it is solid and sound doctrine with truth foundation base on God's Word 100%. Also, often, I heard IFB people saying, "I am a Bible believer". Because in my early Christian life, I was in KJVO group. In my understanding while in my early Christian life, they mean that they follow the Bible 100% with correct doctrine. Even, while in my early Christian life as IFB, I always saying 'I am a Bible Believer'. Today, I STILL am a Bible believer, BUT not KJVO.

Later in the next several years, I found out more things that I already seen IFB have errors with the doctrines. Firstly, I found out IFB have errors about the rapture timing. I leave pretrib camp, but remain IFB, because I refuse share with anyone about my belief in the next five years.

I only know IFB have problems with rapture. But later in the next several years, I found more and more I can see IFB have more problems on their intepreting about Eschatology doctrine than since I noticed it first time. IFB have problems on the doctrine of rapture and millennial. Then, recently, I realized IFB have more serious problem on doctrine of salvation.

I do not mean to attack or criticize on IFB. I still have LOT friends are IFB. I still fellowship with them. Even, they already know about my beliefs. But, so far only two of my friends who are IFB now know about my recently belief about salvation. I rather to keep my beliefs of salvation secert not let IFB friends find out about my beliefs.

Askjo..... PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT share or telling anyone at the deaf conference about my recently belief about salvation!!!

Sorry, I am off the topic. Let's focus on this topic.

I am aware that most amills believe in the imminent return of Christ so far. Because, I learned that most amills do not believe in either 3 1/2 years or 7 years of Tribulation period. All amills believe we are NOW in tribulations since Early Church to today. I believe we are NOW in tribulations. I already seen so many Christians are currently persecuting out there in the world today. No question, we are already in tribulations.

But, I do BELIEVE there is a future 3 1/2 years of tribulation period. Because Antichrist is not yet revealed. Once Antichrist, the real one FALSE messiah revealed, then the great tribulation begins. I do not know when the great tribulation begins.

I want to telling you something about the doctrine of imminent return of Christ. I am not against it.

In fact, Early Christians believed Christ might come anytime in their lifetime. But it does NOT make them pretrib. Because, they all believed they are already in tribulation, and also, they believed they shall face Antcihrist first before Christ comes. The fact of Early Christians never teach on the two phases of the second coming of Christ from Pentacost Day to 19th Century.

In year 1830, a teenager Maraget MacDonald claimed, she received a vision about Christ's coming. She said, she saw two comings of Christ. First rapture of the Christians before tribulation begins. Then, she saw Christians through the fiery trials under the Antichrist. Then, she saw Christ descend after the tribulation.

Two phases of the second coming doctrine was born in 1830's to 1840's. In fact, partial rapturism was developed because of MacDonald's vision. But, either Edward Irving or MacDonald both were not aggressive or the mostly influence on that new doctrine. John Nelson Darby was the mostly influenced on that new doctrine. Actually, John Darby was the father of partial rapturism.

Strange, most pretribbers do not saying they believe in partial rapture. But, they do not realize, that pretrib is PART of partial rapturism! Because, pretrib teaches two phases OF THE second coming/advent. That why pretrib is so obivously partial rapturism.

The Bible never, never teaching on the two phases of the second coming. Even, Jesus and the apostles never, never teaching on two phases of the second advent.

Now back to topic - imminent.

I do believe in imminent. Why?

I have no problem with it. Either signs or no signs, we must always be watch and be ready ALL THE TIME. Why?

Rev. 3:2 tells us, we always be ready all the time till our death.

WE do not know when we will die. Maybe today, maybe tonight, maybe next week, maybe next year. We do not know when we will die. I could be dead either by car accident, heart attack, shooting, etc. Good example of Sept 11 Attack. We were shocked without expect that, the two planes hit World Trade Center, killed 3,500 souls so quickly.

2 Cor. 6:2 tells us, TODAY is the salvation, NOW it is TIME to accepted of salvation. It emphasis us, that EVERYONE must making decision NOW time for them to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, God does NOT want all people go to perish, but WANT all come to repentence, that His will and desire.

James 4:14 tells us, we do NOT know what will happen tomorrow, because our life appear for a SHORT time, then immediately vanish away.

Bible oftens emphasis us, that we ought to repent of sins daily, and to walking godly daily and being be blamless all the times.

Why? Because when Christ shall come in a thief in the night, He shall catch us either wake up or sleep shall bring to be ashamed.

Bible motivates us, that we ought to serve, obey, repent of sins all the times, walking godly everyday.

Why?

Because Hebrews 9:27 tells us, we ALL shall face the judgement ONCE after we die. NNE shall escape from the judgment day. We all shall face two either places of our future destiny - everlasting life or everlasting punishment.

We do not know when we will die OR Christ comes. We must always be watch(be alert of our spiritual life), and be ready all the time, because of the judgment day!!

Yes I do believe in imminent either signs or no sign, we ought always be watch and be ready all the times.

In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!

 

DPT: "I do believe in imminent. Why?:

Thank you for your heartfelt explamation
of why you believe the rapture is imminent.
However, your words are like blowing
into the wind. If there is 3½-years between
the revelation of the Antichrist (as you
say) and the rapture, then it is NOT
imminent. "Imminent" means COULD HAPPEN NOW,
not "cannot happen until 3½-years later".

Sorry Bro, you seem to be signing something
different with each hand
(for you talkers here is the similie:
as one who speaks with a forked tongue)

 

Ed,

Probably, you do not aware that many amills believe in imminent return of Christ. But, it does not make them pretrib.

In fact, Early Christians believed Christ might come again anytime in their lifetime. It does not make them pretrib, because they never hear of two phases of the second coming. That is not yet exist in their time. They believe they go through tribulations first. Also, believed to face Antichrist first before Christ comes.

I have no problem with imminent doctrine. Rev. 3:2 tells us, we ought always be ready all the time, not know when we will die. Becasue we all shall face the judgment day, no one shall escape from it. That why the Bible motivites us to serve the Lord and be ready and watch all time, because we all shall face the judgment day.

In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!

 

I just know that I am looking for his return and I hope it is soon. I believe that if Jesus came just one day too late (ie one day after the um how you say scheduled day of return) humanity would completely destroy itself (if you do not believe that then you need to start watching the news lol).

 

Look at the example of the context of 2 Peter chapter 3 talking about the coming of the Lord.

The last days scoffers saying, 'where is the promise of his coming?'. In the past centuries, many people already heard the rumours from the gospel saying that the Lord is coming again. They don't believe it. They might saying, 'No way! Lord will never, never come' OR, 'It will never happen in the future'.

During Noah's day, I am sure many people already heard the rumours of the coming flood. Also, I am sure, many people were making fun on Noah for builted a huge wood boat on the dry land. They think he is nut. They don't believe the flood will happen. Noah builted Ark for 120 years. They were seem think the old story of the flood for over 100 years never be happen. But, one day the flood sudden come upon them without any expect, and took them away.

SO.... it shall be same at the Day of the Lord shall come like as theif in the night to the world who are not watch and be ready. They shall be taken away for the judgment at Lord's coming.

Do I know when Christ shall come? No. I don't know. But I must always be watch and be ready all the time, also, I do not know when I will die. I must always be ready for my death - Rev. 3:2. Because of face the judgment seat of Christ to judge my works. That why we all ought always be watch and be ready all the time for His coming or our death draw near anytime, for the judgment day.

In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!