2023 Pre-Trib Conference

32nd Annual Pre-Trib Study Group Conference: Answering the Critics

See the schedule HERE 

Somebody noted on X (Twitter) that Andy Woods is to give a talk on prewrath, the suggestion being that PW is making "major inroads in their circles." You know who you are. Let me offer my take on this: from personal experience, PW is the constantly squeaky wheel demanding to be heard. Hence, you're going to get feedback. And the more PW becomes known, the more scrutiny it will receive.

As for Dr. Woods, I had the honor to briefly dialogue with him. He did his homework; understands the system about as well as anyone, and probably better than a lot PW rapturists I've encountered. You can find his critique of the prewrath view HERE.

A Discussion With Cory Marsh and Daniel Hummel

 

Rachel Wilson - Occult Feminism

This interview covers quite a few areas I've been concerned about. Worth a watch.

Are We Living in the Last Days? (Peter Goeman)

The concept of the “last days” or end times captivates the imagination of many Christians. It conjures up vivid images of the rapture, the Antichrist, and apocalyptic events preceding Christ’s return. But what does the Bible actually teach about the last days, and are we living in them now? Intriguingly, the Bible declares we are living in the last days (but not in the last of the last days)...continue reading

More on God's Sovereignty...

Recall that God initially chose Saul as the first King of Israel. Yet we find some time later...

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him. Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. 1 Sam 16:14-15

John Calvin noted:

Moreover, that the ministry of Satan is employed to instigate the reprobate, whenever the Lord, in the course of his providence, has any purpose to accomplish in them, will sufficiently appear from a single passage. It is repeatedly said in the First Book of Samuel, that an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, and troubled him (1 Sam. 16:14; 18:10; 19:9).  (Emphasis mine)

Terry Johnson writes:

We have another striking example of God using or acting concurrently through Satan in 2 Samuel 24 and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 21. Note that 2 Samuel 24:1 says, 'The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go number Israel and Judah."' It was wrong for David to number the people, yet this passage says, 'the LORD...incited David against them.' However, 1 Chronicles 21:1 records the very same incident this way, 'Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel." ~ The Identity and Attributes of God (page 127)

Johnson cites other instances. The above examples also challenge the notion that one can clearly separate God's purpose (anger/wrath) with Satan's activities (wrath etc) in an eschatological scenario. The future Antichrist and his ministry are governed by God for the purpose of judgment on unbelievers (2 Thess 2:11).

Marvin Rosenthal's 14th Tenet

HT Michael Nissim. How did I miss that?

14. The Bible taches that at Christ's return, a surviving remnant of Jews will be regathered to Israel and saved. God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be literally fulfilled (Matt. 24:31; Rom. 11:25-26). ~ Marvin Rosenthal (The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church, page 295)

Note that the PW system typically taches that Matt 24:31 is the rapture, not Israel's regathering. See Charles Cooper's article (last chapter). 

One more thing: Rosenthal placed the 4th seal prior to the Abomination of Desolation, while Van Kampen (The Sign) included it as part of the Great Tribulation. This is a critical difference. See Michael Nissim's article.

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Note: Here's a prewrath response to Michael Nissim:

Responding to Bad Pretrib Arguments No. 3. Are the Day of the LORD and the Great Trib the same?

This was a poison-the-well response. He painted pretribbers in a bad light and even went so far as to cite Dave Macpherson!   

Michael is aware of it, and will likely reply when he gets time. I have my thoughts re the fluidity of the expression the Day of Lord, and they're not just mine. He has asked valid questions of the PW system in his articles. These aren't being adequately addressed. PW hangs entirely on its tenuous take on Matt 24:21-22. It is used as a filter to interpret everything else - for example, why insinuate a resurrection in Rev 7, or Matt 24, when it isn't there?

See Tony Garland's commentary HERE 

One of the things which frustrates me is the ubiquitous claim that people like Michael Nissim don't honestly interact with prewrath arguments. It rings hollow to me. I recall a review by a PW author of Renald Showers' book critiquing the system, claiming he misrepresented prewrath. Showers was methodical and pedantic, carefully citing Van Kampen and Rosenthal. The problem was that he nailed it so well, and the mournful review showed that.