Left Behind Move & the Rapture

The new Left Behind movie with Nicolas Cage just came out (haven't seen it but want to) and along with it came a number of blog posts dealing with the Rapture and why it's not going to happen and how it is wrong, etc.

If you are looking for a blog post agreeing with those that say such things you've come to the wrong place.

If you are looking for a blog post looking to go into great detail on why the Rapture will happen pre-tribulation, you have also come to the wrong place.

I'm not one for great theological debates on blogs simply because they really don't do much good, but I felt compared to write this to point out those attacking Christians who believe in the Rapture are wrong on two points: some of the arguments they use and the lack of love in their attacks.

Faulty Argument #1: Believe in a Rapture is only 200 years old or so.

WRONG: Those Paul wrote to in 2 Thessalonians had felt they had missed the rapture.  That was one of the reasons he wrote the epistle to begin with.

Also many early church fathers taught a pre-tribulation rapture.  Two such examples are:

• Irenaeus (130 - 202 A.D) wrote on it in Against Heresies 5.29
• Cyprian (200 -258 A.D.) wrote on it in Treatises of Cyprian 

There are plenty more but this is not a post to argue for pre-trib rapture but to disprove some of the faulty arguments.

Faulty Argument #2: It is a form of escape-ism because people don't want to go through hard times

This argument is very American in it's sense because Christians all over the world are suffering and dieing for their faith.  Tell the woman whose husband just got beheaded that she doesn't understand suffering.

Also I find it hard to hope in the return of Christ, when one has to look out for 100 pound hailstones falling from the sky and other great catastrophes that will happen during the Tribulation period before He returns.  Last I looked, God does not appoint us to wrath.  

Faulty Argument #3: The word "rapture" appears no where in the Bible

Well neither does the word "Trinity" but both ideas are taught.  The Greek word "harpazo" from 1 Thess 4:17 is "rapturos" in the Latin translation so maybe it just depends on what Bible you read!

Faulty Argument #4: "Our love for the rapture reveals a lack of love for the very world Jesus came to save!"

Recently heard this one.  My response, "really?"  Many who believe in a pre-trib rapture are out spreading the Gospel and have a heart to see people saved (1) to know Jesus (most importantly), but also (2) to help them escape from the "wrath to come" (again, 7 years will be a time of wrath).  It sort of goes with the last faulty argument...

Faulty Argument #5: Believe in a pre-trib rapture makes people lazy Christians

Sorry, but anything can make a lazy Christian, a lazy Christian.  Those who really believe that the rapture of the church is imminent and live that way, take bold steps for the Lord and are doing radical things for His kingdom.  Post-trib people also do radical things for the Kingdom, but the point is the faulty argument, not saying pre-trib people do more or less.

Lack of Love

I honestly don't care what side of the fence you are on when it comes to non-essential debates like this, but when you attack other Christians for their theology and attempt to put them down, there is a real problem.  We read that "knowledge puffs up but love builds up" and yet so many use their theology to attack others (read Theology Test to test how well your theology is) and show how superior their intellect is.  The Bible was never designed so Christians can divide over non-essentials of the faith.

Again, this blog wasn't to create a debate on theology (though I'm sure there will be plenty of posts trying to help me in the error of my ways), but instead to ask those writing lengthy blogs on why a person shouldn't hold to a pre-tribulation view this: WHY DOES IT MATTER?.  As well as to also say, don't use faulty arguments in your arguments against it.

There are plenty of sound, God fearing, Jesus loving Christians who can make great arguments on both sides of the Rapture view - there is no reason to divide over it.

Go watch Left Behind (I'm guessing it isn't heretical like Noah) and don't feel bad for doing it (unless it is heretical like Noah).  Maybe use it as an opportunity to share your faith with someone in that theater.  Also understand it is just a fictional work based on a factual event to take place.  Left Behind is not the Bible, but Revelation has a whole lot to say on the matter (and as Revelation means "revealing", you should spend time in that book as well).

Wise In Your Own Eyes

"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?  There is more hope for a fool than for him." 

Proverbs 26:12

In the first eleven verses of this chapter, the author repeatedly talks about the issues with fools and those who put any sort of trust in them. You read & you can't help but think that you really don't want to be seen as a fool or one who gives fools responsibility. And after verse upon verse of this, we get verse 12 which jumps out at you.

Fools are bad but a man wise in his own eyes has less hope than a fool!

Sadly there are many wise in their own eyes & you just have to get on Facebook or Twitter to see them. Many are those who proclaim Christ as Lord & Savior. These experts engage in philosophical pondering engaged to make those who hold the Bible as inerrant (Creation, the Flood, one way to Heaven through Jesus, etc) as simpletons ("you seriously take that literally?") or throw insults around at anyone who doesn't hold to their specific political views. They are wise in their own eyes.

Sadly, they also forget James 3:1 that warns us teachers will face a stricter judgement, not realizing (or maybe they do) they are putting themselves as teachers. Whether it be why we don't need or shouldn't go to church, why we can't say what the Bible teaches "as there are so many interpretations", or why Genesis can't be believed, they are teaching & will be held accountable for it. In fact, we all will give account of those words we speak (or type).

My prayer is that we will all examine what we say or place on social media. That we would weigh whether our words build up or tear down the body of Christ; whether they point people to Christ or merely to look at us and build our egos. There is grace and forgiveness when we have failed should we repent. 

If we are told to be aware of fools, how much more so those wise in their own eyes? 

Glory in the Desert Places

If you feel in a dry state in your walk with the Lord or like you are in the wilderness, understand God can and wants to use that to bring Himself glory, and show Himself strong to you.

For more you can watch by clicking the link below:

Glory in the Desert Places

Ways God Guides: Acts 15-16

One of the teachings at Calvary Chapel Lynchburg during a Wednesday Night Service

The Final Answer to All Arguments, Thoughts, and Opinions

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2

"Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him." - Proverbs 30:5

"But He said, "More than that, blessed [are] those who hear the word of God and keep it!" - Luke 11:28

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." - 1 Thessalonians 2:13

"For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

This day and age, “I think”, “my opinion is…” and “what I think the truth is…” are phrases that tend to be the end-all-be-all in the world of debate and discussion. If a person thinks something is true, who are we to question their thoughts?

Same is true when people post links to other’s opinions on different topics. The post speaks for itself so if a person has written something, they are the “expert” and who are we to question such articles of knowledge?

However, the fact of the matter is there is only one “opinion” that matters and that is the Lord’s and the good news is, He has already spoken it to us in His Word! His isn’t an opinion but fact and therefore our opinions, thoughts, etc. need to be rooted in the Word of God.

“But there are so many opinions of what Scripture teaches!” one may state. The Bible is very clear in regards to sin and moral living, anyone who says otherwise is trying to read things into Scripture that aren’t there. If one has to add to Scripture to make it fit their views, their views are wrong.

Want to know what it means to live/dress modestly? Go to the Word of God.

Want to know how we should treat others or go to others who has fallen into sin? Go to the Word of God.

Want to know how to manage your money, have a great marriage, grow in your faith, walk in the light, grow in wisdom, and countless other things we desperately need? Go to the Word of God.

It matters not what an “expert” has to say, what does God’s Word say? (and oh by the way, “experts” once said the world was flat, that leeches were the best way to cure some ailments, that man would never travel faster than 35mph because their skin would fall off their bones, etc. – “expert” opinion changes all the time). So when you read “expert” (or even anyone’s, including mine) thoughts, make sure you know what they think of the Word of God. Do they hold is as 100% accurate or do they plug their own opinion into it?

But after you go to the Word, make sure you obey it. If you don’t, James 1:23-24 has something to say for you. It also will harden you to listening to truth and before you know it, you’ll be the next “expert” stating their opinion that isn’t grounded in the Word of God at all!

So can we question others’ thoughts/opinions/statements and show their falsehood? Absolutely if they don’t line up with Scripture.

It matters not what our opinion is, what has Jesus already spoken on the subject!

Cliches, Catch Phrases & the Word of God

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" - Psalm 119:105

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

Been a while since I’ve “blogged” (though honestly I’m more teacher than blogger and thus I just haven’t made the time to once again seek to teach) though a few thoughts have been rattling around in my mind that it’s about time I put proverbial pen to paper and write.


One of the dangers with clichés and catch phrases is that they can too often be mistaken for truth because they sound so good although Scripture would argue against it.

For example:

“Cleanliness is next to godliness” – sure having a clean house can be a great thing (and if you are a parent with kids, more props to you), but it doesn’t make you a better Christian. In fact, it doesn’t even make you “godlier”. It’s not Scripture but many believe it is in Proverbs. Sorry, just a nice catch phrase that spread.

“God helps those who help themselves“ – another “Bible verse” people tend to tell others who are looking for God to answer their prayers. Problem is, not only is it not found in the Bible (in reality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government) it isn’t even congruent with Biblical teaching as God helps those who can’t help themselves (see verses such as Isaiah 25:4, Romans 5:6). Now we shouldn’t sit on our behinds and not do anything, but there is patience to be had in waiting for God to work. If you need a job, pray but also go put in applications, but that doesn’t prove that God helps those who help themselves.

The latest one that I’ve heard that has bugged me (perhaps being too cynical) is “plan like it depends on you; pray like it depends on God.”

Sounds good, but if you’re planning like it depends on you, how are you really praying like it depends on God? And if plans work out according to your plans, who gets the glory?

Let me note that I am not saying you shouldn’t plan or that planning is somehow wrong. In fact, a person should plan. However, before one plans, one needs to pray and seek God’s plan then go the direction one feels they are being led by Him, not by their own ingenuity. Abraham planned like it depended on him and that led to the birth of Ismael and a history of wars between Israel and Ismael’s seed (many Arab nations today spring from). In fact, Abraham probably received Hagar as a maid servant for Sarah because he planned himself how to save his life by lying in regard to Sarah as his sister (see Genesis chapters 12, 16, & 21). Had Joshua planned as if it depended on him, he never would have thought about marching around the walls of Jericho until God brought them down. And there are countless other examples from Scripture that would be against planning like it depended on us.

What is the danger to all this?

In a society that has become social media driven, we are quick to jump on 140 character or less phrases as a way to live our lives, rather than seeking what Scripture has to say. We can develop theology and worldviews based on nice catch phrases or clichés rather than the Word of God. Just because a great leader states something on Twitter or Facebook, doesn’t necessarily mean it is right. Paul the apostle taught the Bereans but they went back to make sure everything he said was right (Acts 17:10-11).  The point in writing this isn't to attack anyone or make you feel bad if you retweeted something or liked the saying.  The point is rather being careful with what we accept without checking its accuracy.

Know the Word and its principles. Pray for the Lord to come through in your situations and wisdom for what your role should be. Double check those things you hear against the Scriptures (in fact, after reading this post, check to be sure things are so – if you feel they aren’t, feel free to comment).

Grace and Bell Ringing

"Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt" - Romans 4:4

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Seems like I’ve become an annual blogger and only around Christmas time, so for all 5 of you have noticed my lack of writing, I apologize.  However, I once again got to serve ringing the bell for Salvation Army (this time it truly was a volunteered for, as opposed to the other times, see previous blog link below) for two hours in front of Sam’s Club and with that much time, you get to thinking, and that thinking led to this desire to write another blog.

First let’s look at grace.  In the Christian context, grace is unrequited, undeserved favor from God.  When we show grace it should be the same way.  I was thinking about this last month when we were helping to deliver Thanksgiving food “baskets” (they were hardly anything but baskets, but huge bags of food) from a local church to our clients (and of course the church served over 100+ others these as well).  It can be easy to look at the few who have no desire to work and only live off the government and charities, and think they don’t deserve the food.  But if they did deserve it, that wouldn’t be grace!  We don’t ever deserve favor or blessing or forgiveness from the Lord – our acts of kindness or Christian service don’t entitle us to anything.  We are blessed regardless and that is grace!  And the Salvation Army uses the resources from your giving to show the Lord’s grace onto others who are in need.  Having been one who benefited from other’s generosity during our out of work time last year, I am glad to help an organization that is generous to others.

Second, want to just share some highlights of ringing the bell.  I can say I feel the Lord has done a work in me since the first time I wrote about bell ringing some 3-4 years ago and am more generous (though the Lord is still working).  I was also excited to do it this time and was glad I was allowed to volunteer to be part of the city’s volunteer force to help out.  Though cold and two hours of bell ringing, I had a blast (my frozen toes would beg to differ but they don’t have a say).  If people were to ask how do you pass that long of time, standing ringing a bell, well my answers in no specific order: I like people watching and “to myself time” which it provided, I started praying for those who walked out past me (which when you start doing that you can be overwhelmed with just how much there can be to pray for and just how many people there are and how many need Jesus), and I had fun coming up with tunes on the bell (not sure if anyone noticed any beats or not but I did).  Plus, when you’ve walked into random people’s houses for your job, or simply visited various countries doing ministry on the street and in homes, standing ringing a bell is quite easy, and I like people anyhow.  I’m still continually blessed by those who love to give.  One man gave change and then came back go give some cash from his wallet.  Another woman slipped a $10 bill in.  I love seeing parents give their kids money to put in and (as my original blog on subject talked about) we do that with our kids as well since it is a great way to teach them to be givers.

Unlike most of my blogs, there isn’t a strong lesson in this, but simply wanted to get some observations out.  However, I would say as you pass the bell ringers, say Merry Christmas to them and look them in the eye, whether or not you give.  No need to feel guilty if you don’t give (unless the Lord is telling you otherwise), but a simple greeting will make their time ringing that much more enjoyable.  Hope you have a very Merry Christmas this year!

Original bell ringing post can be found here: http://ccedge.blogspot.com/2009/11/repost-my-hour-and-3-minutes-of-life-as.html