Tommy Ice: The Pri-Trib Rapture Part II

Via servehiminthewaiting.com

It may be the most controversial subject in Christendom today—the rapture of the Church. It’s a critical Bible doctrine that has its share of skeptics and bashers. Will be whisked up to heaven by Jesus “in the twinkling of an eye,” or will we be left behind to face the Antichrist, endure a 7-year Tribulation, and face a certain death? We’ve brought in the A-Team for this fascinating subject—Gary Stearman and prophecy legend Thomas Ice, the Executive Director of the Pre-Trib Research Center. And what a conversation they had! Better put on your deep thinking cap. These guys address the issues with logic and Scripture and defend the Blessed Hope! 

Watch the Program

A few observations on the Rapture, from Gary:  The catching-away of the Church is a gift and a promise of God to those who are the body of Christ (born-again believers). It is one of many New Testament mysteries, and the most mysterious of them all. There are a variety of opinions about the "What,"  "When ' " "Why ' " "Where" and "How ) " of this signal event . For a long list of reasons, I believe that the rapture comes before the "man of sin" (II Thess. 2:3) gives assent to a covenant with the leaders of Israel, allowing them to practice "sacrifice" and "oblation " in the Third Temple. It is this action that marks the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation. It comes after a series of wars that will miraculously bring Israel to prominence in the Middle East ... and the World. Currently, there's not a human on Earth who can tell you who that man is, or where he is. Furthermore, as this is written, there is no Temple in Israel for him to approve as a place of Jewish worship. Some passage of time and several dramatic events must occur before the establishment of that man's authority. By contrast, our Lord's coming occurs without any forewarning ... before that evil man is revealed. How do I know this? By faith, based upon the systematic study of the Bible. I'm waiting ... and I'm watching. But what if things go bad before our Lord arrives? What if water, electricity, food and money all fail? What if there's rioting and martyrdom? Well ... all these things have happened to God's people before ... even to His closest disciples. I'll still trust Him. As David put it: "23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Ps. 37:23-25).