Doves:

 

I rarely post but I do read.  I have been reading 5-Doves since its inception.  I commend John for hanging in there keeping this site up and running.  I know it takes a lot of time, so I think I speak for many that do appreciate the site.  Bless you John.

 

I would like to suggest that after 51 years in ministry I continue to study and learn, as well as growing .  I would like to offer a bit of advice from an old pastor.  Reading the letters on this sight provides a window or panorama to people's focus as well as reflecting the level of anxiety as well as anticipation as we await the Lord's call.

 

A century ago the church universal went through a crisis of faith that led to a shift towards liberalism in the theology of American Christians.

The once dominant "literal/grammatical/historical" approach to understanding Scripture was abandoned for the liberal "allegorical" approach.

The fact is, there are at least a dozen ways to study the Bible and gain understanding.  Some contemporary scholars have expanded the list to as many as forty different ways of studying the Word.

 

I want to suggest that believers take a look at the "thematic" approach along with "typology" as a means of gaining insight to the Lord's methods of revealing His Message. 

 

I say this because God is not a peddler of confusion.  He is a master of riddles for a reason.  That is confirmed by Proverbs 25:2.  Let me give an example of where the "thematic" approach yields "diamonds and nuggets" as I call them in my worship bulletin inserts.

 

Taking the theme of judgment in the Word, one finds that God always issues warnings.  Furthermore, the theme of "Deliverance" precedes "Judgment."  Note this point:  "Deliverance precedes Judgment."  While many go so far as to say there will be no rapture of the believers, they haven't done their homework.  They don't have a working knowledge of the Biblical languages or they couldn't say that.

 

You will find nearly 200 examples of confirming Scripture passages that utilize the theme of "deliverance before judgment."  One of the earliest examples found in the Bible is that of Lot being told to get out of Sodom before God brought judgment upon Sodom.  Read Genesis, chapters 19 through 22 to get the "big picture".  

 

God has used types, symbols, patterns, themes, among other motifs as "Object Lessons" to communicate spiritual truths that man cannot twist to suit a personal agenda.  I do a children's message and use the object lesson which children can associate or connect with in understanding Biblical truths.

 

Examples of "Typology" includes the Tabernacle in Exodus; the Feast Days of Leviticus; the Hebrew Wedding motif; being some of the major examples, along with dozens and dozens of others.  God has hidden in plain sight for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

 

Of all the different Rapture views, the Pre-Millennial Pre-Tribulational view has the fewest irreconcilable issues.  I have noticed in recent years people attack Schofield citing his past behavior.  One of the tactics of attacking truth is to attack the messenger.  Use the straw man argument is a common tactic in debate circles.  Schofield and Margaret O'Donnell and Charles Darby were not the first teaching a Pre-Min, Pre-Trib. view. 

 

I would add that Renee Moses along with Ron Reese have done incredible work/study to offer support for the different dates they offered.  Unfortunately, as often is the case with human reasoning, God has something different in mind.  I have had my share of disappointments in my life and that's why I do not go out on a limb with predictions.

 

I have my own ideas of when the Rapture will take place, and I did not come to that view by any of the prophecy scholars.  I have read them all, however, they put their pants on the same way I do, except now I sit down to do it.  My own view is based strictly on Scripture alone.  I don't even own a Schofield Bible.

 

Just remember, most denominations (90%) are amilennial because they have roots in Rome.  They follow the "Replacement" Theological view that the church has replaced Israel.  Their roots go back to Constantine and the R.C. church has perpetuated the lies.  Most of you should know that the Apostle Paul shot this idea to hell in Romans, chapters 9, 10, & 11.  There is a particular group that for some odd reason buy into the amillennial Rapture view.  Under scrutiny of their views, their backgrounds, their beliefs, their theological education, etc., these people of this particular persuasional bent seem to be either former R.C. or former Jews. 

 

I reiterate my point about Scriptural truths:  "DELIVERANCE precedes JUDGMENT" - just connect the dots!   Scripture is multi-layered in meaning and methodology.  This gives credence to the Author of the Word!   The Bible contains several codes that validates the Truth and Authorship of the Bible.  Whether it is the ELS Codes, the Heptadic Design Feature, the Infinity Code, or a couple others, the purpose is to convince man to seek God's Face (metaphorically speaking). 

 

There are some 200 Old and New Testament passages that teach "Deliverance before Judgment!" 

 

Pastor Bob