Steve W2,Thank you for that post. You said it all. The attempt to understand the truth of the Bible through study or head knowledge is the reason we have so many opposing views in the church but all along Jesus said it is the Holy Spirit that teaches us and leads us into all truth.I am so grateful for you and so glad you shared that.Instead of "study" what we should do is meditate which allows the Holy Spirit to teach us what He knows is true and then as Jesus said, we will never "thirst" again about a question we once were thirsty for an answer to. Just like you said, you have had your solid answer ever since and no head knowledge argument is going to sway us away from the revelation knowledge we received from Him.The video that RC linked to as well as others like one that Steve K loaned me by Tim Cohen called "The Real Rapture," "Messiah, History, and the Tribulation" in which this man "proves" that there is no pre trib rapture, they use human reasoning to interpret the scriptures for all their arguments.Any teacher of the Bible who teaches from knowledge that they themselves have gathered through much study is in danger of being a blind leader of the blind. Yet they not only do this themselves as a way to increase their knowledge, many also encourage their audience to do the same thing to check their conclusions against the scriptures "like the Bereans..." right, we've all heard that haven't we?Well sure the Bereans were commended for searching the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so or not and they found it to be so. But guess what, there was a reason for their success and their receiving commendation for their efforts and that reason is that their subject for which they diligently searched the scriptures was the ONE subject that God allows an intellectual pursuit of to be fruitful, and that is they searched the scriptures to see whether what the apostles were saying about Jesus was true or not. Jesus said there would be one sign given to prove His claims and that was that He would die and be in the grave for three days like Jonah in the whale but that He was giving his life for our sins according to the scriptures and three days later raising again from death and the grave according to the scriptures. They were searching this subject and only this subject to see if the scriptures really do say that Jesus will fulfill these things. Once a person comes to the truth of this one subject never again are we instructed to search the scriptures in an intellectual pursuit in order to find the truth about other subjects, but rather we are instructed to ASK SEEK KNOCK of the Holy Spirit and trust that He will lead us into all truth and this requires humility and faith in Him. Just exactly as you have described Steve W2! He rewards our faith and teaches us because He wants a relationship with us. Studying increases head knowledge which puffeth up but charity edifieth.What about "study to show theyself approved..." which Paul said to Timothy? That was Paul instructing young Timothy to prepare himself to answer all the critics in his church and give an answer as to why he knew he was already approved before God and needed not to be ashamed. In other words it was like get to know the scriptures, not to form doctrines but to satisfy those who may challenge you and just be ready to give an answer about the things God has already taught you on anything they may ask of you. For example, I could do an indepth study to show why I have a pre trib hope and belief based on the revelation that God has given me but the study part comes after the revelation part and not the other way around. But for the proper interpretation of scripture and for sound doctrine, study is not the way but rather meditating where you sit quietly like Mary at Jesus' feet and admit you don't know and ask Jesus for the answer to something and then wait for His answer and then you will be His disciple indeed as He leads you through the scriptures and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free from every wind of doctrine of them who lie in wait to deceive. Then once you have that, you will be in a position to show from scripture to others why you have the hope in you that you have, see!? Just like you said Steve, that God opened up to you the scriptures and showed you where the pre trib rapture is revealed etc. You could then "study" those scriptures to prepare yourself to give an answer to your critics for the hope that is in you but you did not gain your position through study, no, that came by revelation from the Holy Spirit.Ephesians 4:14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20. But ye have not so learned Christ;
21. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.Speaking of "uncleanness with greediness" verse 19 above, the price of the DVD set by Tim Cohen is $44.95. While the truth is free from the Holy Spirit!