I am going to state two truths that are stated so plainly in the Bible as to be utterly undeniable. Truth Number One: The names of the first two humans were Adam and Eve. (See Genesis 3:20). Now here is the second plainly stated undeniable truth. In fact, it is a truth that is plainly stated at least three separate times in the New Testament. Here it is: The Lord will not return for the living and dead redeemed until the intense persecution and martyrdom of Christians is well under way.
Something happened back there in the First Century that prompted the Lord’s apostles to wholeheartedly believe the Lord’s return was imminent. They thought this due to the intense persecution brought against the Christians by both the unbelieving Jews and the pagan Romans. Over and over again in his first epistle Peter speaks of the suffering of Christians and how they were looked upon as evil doers. (See I Peter 1:6-7; 2:12, 19-23; 3:14-17; 4:1-4). And then, in light of this continued persecution of believers, Peter writes “But the end of all things is at hand Be ye, therefore, sober, and watch unto prayer!” (See I Peter 4:7). Christians were not being spared these fiery trials, suffering and persecution, and it was such continued treatment that prompted Peter to say, “the end of all things is at hand!” He remembered how Jesus had plainly stated there would be a great persecution of believers prior to His return!
When Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus, “What shall be THE SIGN OF THY COMING, and of the end of the world (or age)…Jesus answered and said….Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake…AND THEN SHALL THE END COME” (See Matthew 24:3-14). These were the words that were ringing in Peter’s ear as he saw the growing persecution of Christians, prompting him to write “the end of all things is at hand!” (See I Peter 4:7).
Peter then writes, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (I Peter 4:12). It seems most believers would think it mighty strange if they began to be persecuted and even put to death! Yet Peter firmly believed such treatment was a sure sign of the Lord’s near return.
Peter goes on to write, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed (following this unparalleled suffering of Christians), ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (See I Peter 4:13-14).
Peter then says, “Wherefore let them that suffer ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (verse 19, I Peter 4). Note well that it is NOT God’s will that Christians be spared from fiery persecution – even martyrdom. It is God’s will that Christians trust Him in all situations and at all times!
The apostle Paul also taught that the intense persecution of Christians would be the sign that our Lord’s return was imminent, for in speaking of the severe “present distress” of Christians by the Romans – so severe that Paul advised against Christians marrying and attempting to raise a family – Paul then wrote ‘THE TIME IS SHORT…..for the fashion of this world passes away!” (See Romans 7:25-31). Paul, along with his fellow apostle Peter, saw the Number One Sign that Jesus’ return was imminent was the intense, prolonged horrible persecution of Christians!
Paul and Peter could not be faulted for believing “the end of all things was at hand” and that “the time is short.” Even James wholeheartedly agreed, writing that it was “the last days” and that “the coming of the Lord draws nigh” even stating “the judge (Jesus Christ) stands before the door!” (See James 4:1-9). He then speaks of Christians “suffering affliction.” (verse 10). That’s WHY James was certain the Lord’s return was quite near. Satan has blinded countless pastors, preachers and Bible teachers from seeing this oft repeated truth, leading them to teach the very opposite – that Christians will escape persecution by being “raptured” or “caught away” before things get really bad.
Jesus warned, “He that is not with me (saying what Jesus said), is against me (is counter working Jesus Christ), and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad” (See Matthew 12:30). You are either helping Jesus or hindering Jesus. Those who teach the rapture doctrine are hindering Jesus and are fostering satanic delusion. It is that simple. It is that plain in scripture.
There are some who believe I speak too harshly of those who teach gross error among the followers of Jesus Christ. Friend, I weigh the cost believers must pay when believing error. Many Christians are going to be so dumbfounded to find they are not being caught away and delivered from gross persecution and martyrdom that it will cause many too fall away from Christianity and embrace Islam as the true religion. Many, faced with the prospect of being beheaded, will deny Jesus is the Son of God and will kiss the Koran. Spiritual error can be quite costly and can even prompt Jesus to say to the one embracing the same “I never knew you!” God help you to understand is my prayer.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley