The Rapture Part One: Timing & avoiding Demon Spawn Teachers

The Rapture Part One: Is the Rapture before, during, or after the Tribulation?

In this article, the Rapture Part One, I will explore the timing of the rapture. Specifically, I will point the reader to Paul’s letters to the Church in Thessalonica.

In this series of posts, I will also introduce you to an excellent teacher, and scholar. I strongly recommend his teaching ministry and books to you. His name is Ken Johnson, his teaching style, research, subject matter, and more are all excellent. His work in ancient manuscripts and the works of the early church fathers is something all serious Bible students should explore.

Ken Johnson’s website 

And regarding the issue of recommending other ministries, there is an important point I should make. I am one teacher among half a billion or so Bible teachers. (Okay, maybe that’s a little exaggerated.) As teachers, we need to point people to the Word and sound teachers of the Word. We are going to differ in some or many of our positions. We shouldn’t treat those who differ from us as demon-spawn miscreants who should be shunned by serious Christians. But unfortunately, many immature believers, can’t handle a variant point of view. Thus we get the heretic claims thrown around so often. Ken isn’t a demon spawn 🙂  and neither are many others who take a different point of view than I do.

Ken Johnson’s view of the rapture is the exact position that I learned and taught for many years. But after further study, I have moved away from that position. That doesn’t make either of us demon spawn, we just take different interpretive positions. I’ve written several times about the preterist view of Bible prophecy. I believe they take a position on Bible prophecy that is incorrect. But they’re covered by God’s grace the same way I am. Just because they are wrong doesn’t mean they won’t get into heaven. 🙂

Now on to the brief look at the rapture part one.

For this article and the following two, you’ll have to do most of the work. But that’s how good Bible study works. Open your Bible and pray. (not necessarily in that order.) Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth, and when you can, learn from other good teachers.

I will post a link to Ken’s video. Here it is, The rapture part one.

You should watch it on his youtube channel and see if you agree with his interpretation.

For this article, I’ll avoid adding my criticism of Ken’s point of view and let you do your own study. But to be honest, there’s not a lot to criticize, plus I completely understand his position as it’s the one I held for years.

Here’s the passage:

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Some brief points on the rapture part one

1. I agree with Ken. The Apostle Paul referred to the rapture when he used the phrase “our gathering together.”
2. Paul encouraged the church not to worry about false teachings that the day had arrived. During Paul’s day, the day of the Lord had not occurred.
3. The day to which Paul referred is the day of the Lord. That day is broader than the rapture. It includes the judgment of the ungodly. I think Ken and I differ on this point.
4. The apostle mentioned a letter that was falsely claimed to have been sent by Paul. Even back then “fake news” was a problem. There’s nothing new under the sun. 🙁
5. The day of the Lord, meaning the rapture, the resurrection of the dead, and the judgment of the ungodly comes after two events.
6. Paul said the day will not come except the falling away (departure) and the revealing of the man of sin is accomplished.
7. In verse five he writes about details we all wish he had included in this letter.

Here’s the video in full.

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