Hiya All,
Just an idea that just now crossed my mind:
"When all Christians aren't raptured when the mark of the beast
is introduced, where are the pretrib views in a few months time
when the first public introductions of this way to pay are well
underway ?"
I can understand the concern you have here, however, you can't have the beast's mark, until you first have the beast. And that wont happen until the restrainer is removed, and the man of sin is revealed. I do believe that person is alive today, although it has not become clear who he is yet. IF the beast and the mark are revealed it will be clear that a pre-trib event is past due. Most pre-trib believers I know are all too aware of what is to come.
You see I've been scoffed ridiculed and mocked for my posttrib-
prewrath view, and I do not intend to return the favour, then
again I want to pose the question again :
" What will change in the hearts and minds of all those millions
and millions that converted in the pretrib view when they see
the chip introduced and find that they are not going to raptured ?
Isn't this one big snare for them ?"
Hopefully I have not made you feel this way before, if I have my apologies twobombs.
To quote the verse you imply...
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.Do you interpret this to be speaking about pre-trib advocates? It appears from the text that "all them that DWELL on the face of the whole earth" are snared.
Personally, I think you are reaching a bit, but If so, who is it in verse 36 that is counted worthy to escape?
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
And when do they escape if not before they are snared? Can you show scriptural basis that those who escape are worthy because they were planning for tribulation? I'm not sure I follow you here brother.
You see, we can believe, hope and have faith for almost anything, but what to do when it doesn't come to pass ?
How often haven't we been praying for a lost and loved one but to no avail ? How often have we prayed and even had faith yet we did not receive ?
Have we build on sand instead of the rock ? Have we trusted
storys from men instead of the expertise of the Almightly ?
If we build our house on the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvaic work done at the cross then I suspect those who believe pre-trib, post-trib, or pre-wrath will all find the same measure of grace that current unbelievers will find if they come to Christ during the tribulation, if we all wound up going through it. I see nothing in scripture to indicate "certain" believers will be the ones snared. Again, I can kind of see your concern, but its a common line of questioning from the pre-wrath post trib camp that doesn't seem to hold scriptural water.
In all honesty, I have somewhat softened my rapture stand in regards to the timing of it. I still believe that the pre-trib scenario fits scripture better than others, but I am willing to believe I could be wrong. Like I said before, If I found myself enduring the tribulation period I know all too well that my only hope would be Gods grace. Thats the only way anyone will endure that time period regardless of pressuposition.
Not debating here, I just fail to understand this reasoning from some.
Grace and Peace!
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