The Coming Epiphany--Preface
Thomas angrily pounded his fist on the table saying, “You are crazy, the world is flat! If you sail too far, you will fall off!”Christopher responded, “No, you are wrong. The world is round, and I will not fall off!” I can easily imagine this type of argument between Christopher Columbus and one of his peers. We all know who was eventually proved right; but at the time, because of the limited knowledge many possessed, the topic of whether the world was round or flat was a heated topic of debate. Today, there is another heated and complicated topic of debate: biblical prophecy and especially the timing of the rapture. The information presented in this book deals with this complicated topic. The information presented in this book deals with this complicated topic and will prove by scripture which one of the many rapture theories is the correct one.
There are many books on the market that deal with biblical prophecy. Why is this book different? Why listen to me? Who am I to say what is right or wrong? Should you listen to me because I have been involved in preaching and teaching God’s Word on a daily basis for the last 20 years, or because I have memorized and meditated on scripture every day for the last 23 years, or because I have a Master of Divinity degree from a conservative fundamental Christian university, or because I have fasted and prayed over this book? No, even though credentials have their place, you should not listen to anyone because they have “credentials.” You should only listen to me or any Bible teacher or preacher because what they say agrees with the Word of God. We all have the responsibility before God to go to the scriptures ourselves and see if what we are being taught agrees with all of scripture just like the Bereans did. “These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Scripture and scripture alone is the standard by which everything must be judged. Unfortunately, many approach end-times scriptures with a predetermined theological mindset and then try to make scripture fit into their theology. What sets this book apart from all the rest is that it attempts to approach the topic with all of scripture, and scripture alone, as its basis. A theological belief is then formed on the basis of what all of the scriptures dictate.
In this book scripture will be interpreted according to the following principle: “When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”[1] In other words, scripture will be interpreted literally unless it is evident that a symbolic interpretation is warranted by the text. Theological systems will then be evaluated in light of what the Bible says and not the other way around, as many books on this topic do.
Many end-times books also are based solely or partly on various extra-biblical ancient and modern-day prophecies. It is apparent that many of these prophecies are man-made or even demonic in origin, and even though they may contain some truth, they do not contain all truth and thus cannot be trusted. The only sure foundation that we have for faith and doctrine is the Word of God. When this book uses extra-biblical sources, it is only to support a point that has already been made from the scriptures.
The understanding of prophecy and formulating correct prophetic beliefs is much like putting together the pieces of a complicated jigsaw puzzle. In putting together a puzzle, one first examines all the pieces, then selects the border pieces and starts to assemble the border. After the border of the puzzle is completed, one works on filling in the center. As we know, to complete the puzzle, we must fit every piece perfectly with its surrounding pieces. When every piece is fitted in, the picture is complete.
The pieces of the “prophecy puzzle” are the numerous prophetic verses found throughout the Bible. The border pieces are the prophetic principles set forth in scripture, such as the principle that God will not allow His children to be subject to His wrath (1 Thess. 5:9), that no one knows the day or hour of the return of Christ Jesus, etc. In attempting to formulate a correct prophetic view of future events, one must put all the pieces within this framework so that all the pieces fit together perfectly. In other words, one must establish a prophetic belief system that is in agreement with all of the prophetic principles and all of the prophetic scriptures so there are no contradictions. We can check any theological position for its correctness by comparing it to all of the scriptural principles and truths found in the Bible. If it contradicts any of them, that theological position is in error.
The theological position presented in this book has undergone the scrutiny of such an analysis. Do not take my word for it. Go to the Lord and the scriptures, and prove to yourself that what is being presented is in agreement with all scripture.
Thomas angrily pounded his fist on the table saying, “You are crazy, the world is flat! If you sail too far, you will fall off!”Christopher responded, “No, you are wrong. The world is round, and I will not fall off!” I can easily imagine this type of argument between Christopher Columbus and one of his peers. We all know who was eventually proved right; but at the time, because of the limited knowledge many possessed, the topic of whether the world was round or flat was a heated topic of debate. Today, there is another heated and complicated topic of debate: biblical prophecy and especially the timing of the rapture. The information presented in this book deals with this complicated topic. The information presented in this book deals with this complicated topic and will prove by scripture which one of the many rapture theories is the correct one.
There are many books on the market that deal with biblical prophecy. Why is this book different? Why listen to me? Who am I to say what is right or wrong? Should you listen to me because I have been involved in preaching and teaching God’s Word on a daily basis for the last 20 years, or because I have memorized and meditated on scripture every day for the last 23 years, or because I have a Master of Divinity degree from a conservative fundamental Christian university, or because I have fasted and prayed over this book? No, even though credentials have their place, you should not listen to anyone because they have “credentials.” You should only listen to me or any Bible teacher or preacher because what they say agrees with the Word of God. We all have the responsibility before God to go to the scriptures ourselves and see if what we are being taught agrees with all of scripture just like the Bereans did. “These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Scripture and scripture alone is the standard by which everything must be judged. Unfortunately, many approach end-times scriptures with a predetermined theological mindset and then try to make scripture fit into their theology. What sets this book apart from all the rest is that it attempts to approach the topic with all of scripture, and scripture alone, as its basis. A theological belief is then formed on the basis of what all of the scriptures dictate.
In this book scripture will be interpreted according to the following principle: “When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”[1] In other words, scripture will be interpreted literally unless it is evident that a symbolic interpretation is warranted by the text. Theological systems will then be evaluated in light of what the Bible says and not the other way around, as many books on this topic do.
Many end-times books also are based solely or partly on various extra-biblical ancient and modern-day prophecies. It is apparent that many of these prophecies are man-made or even demonic in origin, and even though they may contain some truth, they do not contain all truth and thus cannot be trusted. The only sure foundation that we have for faith and doctrine is the Word of God. When this book uses extra-biblical sources, it is only to support a point that has already been made from the scriptures.
The understanding of prophecy and formulating correct prophetic beliefs is much like putting together the pieces of a complicated jigsaw puzzle. In putting together a puzzle, one first examines all the pieces, then selects the border pieces and starts to assemble the border. After the border of the puzzle is completed, one works on filling in the center. As we know, to complete the puzzle, we must fit every piece perfectly with its surrounding pieces. When every piece is fitted in, the picture is complete.
The pieces of the “prophecy puzzle” are the numerous prophetic verses found throughout the Bible. The border pieces are the prophetic principles set forth in scripture, such as the principle that God will not allow His children to be subject to His wrath (1 Thess. 5:9), that no one knows the day or hour of the return of Christ Jesus, etc. In attempting to formulate a correct prophetic view of future events, one must put all the pieces within this framework so that all the pieces fit together perfectly. In other words, one must establish a prophetic belief system that is in agreement with all of the prophetic principles and all of the prophetic scriptures so there are no contradictions. We can check any theological position for its correctness by comparing it to all of the scriptural principles and truths found in the Bible. If it contradicts any of them, that theological position is in error.
The theological position presented in this book has undergone the scrutiny of such an analysis. Do not take my word for it. Go to the Lord and the scriptures, and prove to yourself that what is being presented is in agreement with all scripture.
In this book, I will endeavor to present what the whole of scripture says with regard to prophetic events and not necessarily what any theological system dictates. I ask that you would prayerfully compare what I present with scripture. If I have been accurate in presenting the truth of God’s Word—and these pages represent the truth of what is to come—then all of scripture will agree with what I am stating. And in all of your prophetic study, whether through this book or any other, let me remind you of one of God’s wonderful promises: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5–6). I pray that this book will be a blessing to you
A proper understanding of biblical prophecy is extremely important and is essential to the life of the believer (or unbeliever, for that matter). Without it, regardless of your spiritual background, you could be caught off guard and be unprepared for what is going to take place on the earth in the near future. Should this occur, you would most likely place yourself in spiritual and or physical jeopardy. If the rapture occurs and you are left behind, you will most likely suffer a terrible fate. Thus, I beseech you to take very seriously the information presented in this book, for it will be of such profound importance that I liken it to the importance of Christopher Columbus saying that the world is round.
A proper understanding of biblical prophecy is extremely important and is essential to the life of the believer (or unbeliever, for that matter). Without it, regardless of your spiritual background, you could be caught off guard and be unprepared for what is going to take place on the earth in the near future. Should this occur, you would most likely place yourself in spiritual and or physical jeopardy. If the rapture occurs and you are left behind, you will most likely suffer a terrible fate. Thus, I beseech you to take very seriously the information presented in this book, for it will be of such profound importance that I liken it to the importance of Christopher Columbus saying that the world is round.
[1] The Golden Rule of Interpretation, by David L. Cooper.
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