Dear John B and Tracye,

          Thank you for your kind words.  It really is ironic that there is so much contention over a Sixth Seal Rapture when it can coincide with both the Pre-Trib and Pre-Wrath positions.  Once my eyes became open to the possibility of it by way of the Earthquake-Resurrection  theory, the whole book of Revelation just seemed to open up.

          As far as I can see, there is no reason why prophetic events cannot occur before the Rapture and/or the Tribulation.  I think that most would agree that the birthing pains of Matthew 24:8 are currently in progress.  Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 24:6: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”  So we are already living in a time where prophecy is being fulfilled – a time that precedes the Rapture and Tribulation.  Is it that hard to accept that some of the book of Revelation has been or will be fulfilled during this “the end is not yet” time period?

          Well, I’m speaking to the choir.  Thank you again for your comments, and John, I also appreciate the hard work and thought that you put into your own studies. 

 

Dear Stacey K,

          Thank you also for your kind words.  I must admit that it is disappointing to have one’s position flatly rejected without any real consideration.  But not everyone is willing or ready to consider another point of view.  I have been there myself.

          I am not sure why people get so worked up about views that oppose their own eschatological viewpoint.  Eschatology lends itself to a fair amount of conjecture.  And each of the main groups (i.e. Pre-Trib, Sixth Seal, Pre-Wrath, Mid-Trib, Post Trib, etc.) have strengths.  If they didn’t, they would not have so many followers.  Then add to the mix the individuals from each group who believe in variations of their group’s general position.  That amounts to a lot of different viewpoints.  Can any of these viewpoints be 100% correct?   

          First, people should not assume that their group is the only one that is getting any insight from God.  Second, they should not assume that there is nothing new to learn within their own position.

          The Word of God is alive and powerful. (See Hebrews 4:12.)  It is not static.  We will never be able to exhaust it.  I can’t tell you how many times God has disclosed something new to me in a passage that I have read many times before. 

          I am reminded of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.  There was infighting between their groups and united fighting against Christ.  Although He tried to show them “new” truths from Scripture – they wanted no part of it.  They also thought they knew how things were going to pan out prophetically.  We have to be careful not to fall into that trap.  The Holy Spirit is willing to teach us, but we have to be willing to be taught.  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  John 14:26. 

          Whenever we are confronted with a different viewpoint, we should be like the Bereans: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”  Acts 17:11.  We should be able to prove if something lines up with Scripture or not.

          I do think that there is a time and place for challenging different viewpoints – especially those which go against Scripture.  But nobody is going to change anybody’s mind by being snarky or condescending.  There is a wrong way and a right way to correct.  “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”  Colossians 4:6. 

          The funny thing is that someday all of our eschatological differences and debating will be a thing of the past.  Someday, prophecy will not be prophecy but history.  “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”  1 Corinthians 13:12.

          Thank you again for the support.  I really appreciate it.

                                        Your Sister in Christ,

                                                         – Lisa Taylor