Last Daze Letter to The Body of Christ  

Chapter 3   Jesus is coming soon, but not as soon as you think.

                                   

We could not have discussed “The Great Tribulation” or “The Great Apostasy” (see Chapter 2), without talking about Christ's Second Coming and “The gathering together of the saints” known as “The Rapture”. Christians have waited for Jesus for years, for decades, for centuries, even for millenniums!  Remember Corrie Ten Boom’s words from “The imminent Tribulation and Apostasy”; (see Chapter 2)   “Christians were told; 'Don't worry, before the tribulation comes, you will be translated, raptured.'  Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a bishop from China say, sadly, 'We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first.’” [i]

The Hebrews determined how their messiah would come, what He would look like and what He would do. When The Messiah did come, He (Jesus) was nothing at all like they had pre-supposed.  The Hebrews were threatened, so much so that they had Him put to death!  Why did their Messiah not come the way they expected He should?  Could it be that their understanding of the Holy Scriptures was contrary to the truth? Only those (which were few) who had a humble heart and close relationship with Jehovah, recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

The religious leaders were living a life for themselves first, not for God, as a consequence, scripture became interpreted the way they wanted it to read for their own benefit and purpose. There is a parallel today with Christ’s expected return, today it is no different. Jesus will not come at the time or in the manner that we think He should.

Dare we be like those who did not recognize the time of the Lord’s visitation!  How are we any different than they?  Unless we wake up, we too will misinterpret His second coming, when He will come, how He will come...  When He does come, we will not be prepared for the time of testing that is come on the whole earth. 

This deception has happened again, only in reverse!  We Christians (not all) have also been doped into believing a lie and our eyes are blinded. The Devil is very crafty and usually successful to trip people up. How are we any different today?  People for centuries have expected Christ Jesus to return at any moment. Many believe Jesus could return right now, this very second, even as you are reading this!  Many false claims of His return at a predetermined time have come and gone for almost 2,000 years!  There have been quite a few claims in my lifetime, all of which have been in vain and obviously did not come true. The Bible clearly states that even Jesus Himself does not know when He will return, only the Father alone!

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!  But now they have been hidden from your eyes. "For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”  Luke 19:41-44

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.   Matthew 24:36

The following scripture still applies today, the truth about Jesus returning has been hidden from our eyes because we do not know the things that make for peace.

DESTRUCTION and misery are in their paths,  AND THE PATH of peace they have not known." "THERE IS NO fear of GOD before their eyes."   Romans 3:16-18

The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.    Isaiah 59:8 (NKJV)

The many (proven) false predictions of Christ's Second Coming and the narrow desired view of the rapture have resulted in many believers continuing to follow these false teachers and their false doctrines!  Sad to say, most seminaries and pastors have fallen into this trap!

After a specific time of one's prophecy had passed and the prophecy did not come true it was soon forgotten. These same false prophets and or false teachers can easily return coming up with another revelation and the same previously deceived followers, along with additional converts, flock to the call of new revelation!  In Bible times false prophets, false teachers were put to death by stoning so they could not deceive God's people any longer.  These deceivers became an example of judgment for others.  In our culture, false teachers, false prophets get a second and third chance, then the last deception is worse than the first!  Therefore, all should be cautious not to be self-victimized.

Please do not misunderstand me here.  I believe that many who teach these false doctrines are sincere Christians (as well as those believe them) and they really believe their teachings are the Gospel truth. The Lord loves those who look forward to His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8, Tit 2:13, Rom 8:23, Heb 9:28).  I most certainly look forward to His Second Coming as well, I cannot wait, but I have to!

Why do we continue to drink in these false hopes, false teachings and false prophecies?  Could it be because;  We do not know what the Word really says, because we do not truly study it for ourselves.  If and when we do read and study the Word we interpret it in a way that has to match our present Christian politically correct philosophy, doctrine or theology.  We bring God down to our way of thinking, limited by the size of the box we have put Him in.  We do not receive the Word in humility, in lowliness of mind, denying our own way of thinking. To properly understand The Word of God we must "Go Up to God’s way of thinking!" (Chapter 1)

Avenues that explain and justify the pre-tribulation Rapture position are: 1) Brothers, sisters, teachers, pastors and speakers believe and have taught them about the pre-tribulation position. Many believe because it sounds good and is the easy way out of this messed up world before it gets really ugly. 2) They choose this position without studying for themselves. 3) An important influential person shares this doctrine and then it becomes the gospel truth to some without even cracking open their Bible. 4) Several books, including study Bibles) and even movies depict this false doctrine. Many are deceived this way because it is a much easier way to acquire information. 5) Those who have done some surface Biblical study have previously been swayed and indirectly believe beforehand that there are two second comings of Christ  without realizing it!  While studying the scriptures, they have been influenced to believe in this doctrine beforehand, rather than first studying it objectively with an open mind. 

... in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.  James 1:21b

 For many, the immediate expectant return of Christ produces much apathy. You might be thinking, “I do not need to worry about ‘The Great Tribulation’ because I will be raptured before tribulation takes place.”  If the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” has been your doctrinal belief, study its history from its conception in ~1830. You will see false prophecy after false prophecy predicting Christ's return. This school of thought came about through the doctrine of Dispensationalism. Bibles were printed with these false doctrines.  Is it not curious how this doctrine came about in the same era of time when hundreds of Christian cults also came on the scene. Consider your belief and study the scriptures objectively for yourself with no notes or commentaries!  “Go Up to God’s way of thinking” and find the truth so, as not to be deceived, it is your individual privilege, duty and responsibility!  What you think does not change the Truth, but the Truth will change what you think!

The inclusion of; "The Secret Rapture” or “The Pre-Tribulation Rapture” with "The Second Coming of Christ" (as many explain it), there would have to be another separate "Coming of Christ! "The Secret Rapture" is where Jesus comes close to earth, but never touches down prior to "The Second coming" (when Jesus comes to stop all of the plagues and to judge the earth, two second comings!)  There cannot be two second comings, if Christ comes back after the secret second time, this would and should otherwise be known as The Third Coming of Christ.  As you know, there is no such reference in the Bible. For this to be true, Christ would have to return again and again, return again twice, a second and third time for the false teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture to be remotely true. I ask you to find scripture (after “The Resurrection”) that clearly tells of Christ returning to planet earth twice, again and again. If there were a second and third coming, our Lord would have made it clear. Without this gross misinterpretation of scripture, "The Secret Rapture” or “The Pre-Tribulation Rapture” school of thought could not exist! 

The truth of the matter is; Our Lord Jesus choses to gather His elect in the sky as He is coming down to earth, bringing the saints with Him to set up His millennial reign and kingdom on earth.  He chooses to do it this way because He is God and so the whole world can see Him and His elect!  How spectacular, how glorious, what a day that will be for all!  Again, we must put scripture together, not just pick and choose what we like, we must receive it all, "Go(ing) up to God's Way of Thinking" Chapter 1

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.    2 Timothy 4:3-5
                                                                      
 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.    2 Timothy 3:16-17

 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV)

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ, for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth.   Ephesians 1:9-10 (NJB)

So as not to be misunderstood, I most certainly believe in “The Rapture” (the gathering together of the saints to Him).  What I purpose to clarify is when “The Rapture” takes place, how it fits and what must happen before the saints are gathered together to Jesus.

Before you discount what I have said, please make sure you have read Chapter 1 and study this topic for yourself, not to prove wrong, but with an open mind to know the real truth. My exhortation to you is educate yourself about false doctrine that Jesus could return today at any moment. This belief is a grave mistake, a lie and a gross misinterpretation of scripture that is packaged up in the term; “The Secret Rapture.”  When The King of King’s and The Lord of Lords comes, there will be no secret about it!  Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.

No Secret, when Jesus returns, it will be no secret!!!  Do the following scriptures sound like its a secret!!!???  How foolish to believe the Devil's lie that Jesus returns that it will be a secret!  How can we believe, with all of these exploits and commotion, that Jesus will just secretly grab His saints and go back home!  This would be for those who remain, all show and no go!  Do we believe what the scripture says or not?!

"For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN will be darkened, AND THE MOON will not give its light, AND THE STARS will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON of MAN coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.  "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT trumpet and THEY WILL GATHER together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.   Matthew 24:27-31

No Secret, when Jesus returns, it will be no secret!!! 

…to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Shame on those who believe that because of the advent of satellite TV, the internet and cell phones it will be possible for everyone to see the return of Jesus anywhere in the world.   Do the dead have television, a PC / I phones?!  Again, we must Go Up to God’s way of thinking, not bring Him down to ours. Jesus is omnipresent and God of the universe!  We give more credit and acclaim to Santa Clause than we do Jesus Himself!  We claim that Santa Clause can be present at and near everyone’s house at one time everywhere in the whole world at the same time!  So when the scripture says that “every eye will see Him”, it will not have to  be on your electronic device!  You will see Him personally, clearly with your own eyes!  Look up, look up and "Go Up to God’s way of thinking!"

No Secret, when Jesus returns, it will be no secret!!!

Look, He (Jesus) is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be!  Amen.  Revelation 1:7 (NIV)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

No Secret, when Jesus returns, it will be no secret!!!

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.   1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

I know you recognized some of these scriptures, they are some of the ones they use to justify their position.  Do you now see these scriptures in a different light, the real light!  Please let me know if you find any passage(s) when Jesus returns twice after the Resurrection. You can E-mail me; info@lastdays.today

Why all this fuss about "Pre-Tribulation rapture"?!  What does it have to do with “The Great Tribulation and Great Apostasy” (see chapter 2). I believe and am convinced "The Pre-Tribulation rapture" theory is one of the devil’s big ploys to deceive us in "The Last Daze". The devil has used and is using this lie to bring about much apathy in the church.

ap·a·thy (ăpə-thē) n. 1. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference. 2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness. [Latin apathºa from Greek apatheia from apath¶s  without feeling, disinterest, disregard, indifference, insensibility, insouciance, lassitude, lethargy, listlessness, pococurantism, unconcern, unresponsiveness.  American Heritage Dictionary[iii]) 

Apathy, what a powerful word.  The "pre-tribulation rapture" belief is The easy way out attitude and has left the church sleeping and unprepared for the future.  Our modern thinking deceives us into believing that Jesus will take us out of this messed up world before the Tribulation begins. The “Jesus could come today” belief causes immense apathy, stunts our growth and keeps us from being prepared for imminent future chaos.  The resultant apathy fueled by the false “pre-tribulation” doctrine will become one of the predominate causes ushering in “The Great Apostasy” proceeding Christ’s return.

If you knew you were going to die in the next two or three years, would you sign up at a university near you, to get your BA, MS or PHD?  No, that would be absolutely foolish!  Why would you attempt to acquire an education you would never use? Why would you spend all that time and money it would take to acquire a useless degree? Why would you spend the last precious days of your life diligently studying instead of being with your family and friends and getting closer to Jesus?!

For most Christians, the need to be prepared for the future is non-existent because Jesus will be here soon, maybe today!  If Jesus returned today and most assuredly before The Great Tribulation, why should I prepare myself for martyrdom or the great time of testing?  Why should I study, memorize and meditate God's Word?  This apathetic attitude promotes a shallow relationship with Jesus and many are not prepared for the imminent future time of testing. Many will fall away because they will lack this essential foundation, thus “The Great Apostasy” “The Great Falling Away.”  The pre-tribulation rapture lie is not the only reason for all of the church’s present day apathy, but is a very strong factor.

The false doctrine of The pre-tribulation rapture is strongly ingrained in our Christian culture through false teaching and little to no learning on our own. This false security is such a powerful lie that the correct truth can only pierce through the veil of one who is teachable and is willing to deny themselves and Go Up to God’s way of thinking!

Let us look below the surface and you will see that "The Second Coming of Christ” and "The Rapture" are a one time, same time event!  The scriptures plainly show that these two episodes happen at the same time, not secretly or separate. The terms: “Rapture” “Secret” & “Left behind” become synonymous with one another in this false doctrine. The result is the false belief in Jesus coming separate from “The Second Coming.”

"The Rapture" as we know it in our modern Christian culture is referred to in the scriptures as the gathering together of the elect to Christ Jesus when He returns. As you may know, the word Rapture does not appear in the scriptures. “The Rapture” is used to describe “our gathering together to Him”, caught up together to meet Him in the air (2 Thessalonians 2:1 and 1Thessalonians 4:15-18)

Jesus and the apostles warned us with a deepest sincerity of specific events that will come on the earth in the last days. Jesus emphasized repeatedly, warning and familiarizing us with the coming events so they would not overtake us by surprise. Jesus also gave the hope of His return so we would not loose heart. I believe the warnings of Christ Jesus have been taken very lightly. In light of this present darkness, when have you heard a sermon or teaching on the following topics;  “The Great Apostasy” or “The Great Tribulation” warning, preparing you for the greatest, most pivotal time since the advent of Christ Jesus. I believe that Satan is deceiving, if it were possible, the very elect through false contemporary doctrine that has blinded some of the sincerest believers!  This book is a trumpet sound for the Church, a wakeup call to draw us out of our stupor. The Lord has spoken to me to warn His people whom He loves and because I love Him and love you, I must obey, convey His warning and share at all cost.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?  2 Thess 2:1-5

Paul was correcting the misunderstanding that took place from his first epistle (1Thessalonians 4:13-5:11) about (a) Christ's second coming and (b) our gathering together to Him, "the Rapture.”  Recipients of his first epistle had misunderstood and distorted what Paul had intended to convey.  Some were deceived into believing that Christ had already come again. Paul makes a direct effort to clarify in his second epistle two important issues (incidentally, 2 Thessalonians was written less than a year after 1 Thessalonians): (a) "The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and (b) our gathering together to Him."  This emphasis on “it” (the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him) is important, due to what is being addressed in the following verses to understand the writing of this section of scripture.

Again, I must repeat; Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.  2 Thess 2:3&4.

In other words, Jesus will not return and "our gathering together to Him will not happen" until the Great Apostasy and the rise of the antichrist takes place first!  The false belief that Jesus could come today is most prevalent in our Christian culture. Many believe Jesus will come and take us out of this present demise at any moment.  Yes, we look forward to His return and we should be strengthening our faith, preparing for the future with the Word of God, like the Bishop from China told Corrie Ten Boom (second paragraph).

“…sadly, 'We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first.’  "Turning to me he said, 'You still have time. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when persecution comes-to stand and not faint.’  We are in training for the tribulation...now every time I read a good Bible text I think 'Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.'  Then I write it down and learn it by heart."[iv]

Some believe that “The Tribulation" and "Apostasy” has already happened or is happening now!  This could not be further from the truth. “The Great Apostasy” (see chapter 2) and “The Abomination of Desolation” will take place during the same time!  "The Abomination of Desolation" cannot take place until the Temple in Jerusalem is first rebuilt. "The Abomination of Desolation" is where the lawless one takes his position in the temple and proclaims that he is God!  We still have a ways to go.

If you study the Scriptures you will see that “The Great Apostasy” and “The Tribulation" is an up and coming event before Christ’s return. Several other events have yet to take place. I beg of you to study the scriptures for yourself, deny yourself and Go Up to His way of thinking. Do not just listen to what others say or what I say, do not let others deceive you any longer, study for yourself what Jesus has to say, your life depends on it!  Study the following few scriptures; they should prod your curiosity and act as a catalyst to investigate further on your own.

Dan 9:24-27, Dan 12:11-13,   Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:9-17, 8:1-13, 11:15-19, 13:1-18, 19:11-16, Matthew 24:1-51, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:16

Yes!  We need to love and look forward to His appearing and stop the false thinking that Jesus may come today, instead we must prepare for our glorious future!  We need to be like soldiers trained up for the difficult times to come so we will be strong overcomers. Away with apathy and the deception that comes with it!  We need to begin preparing for His return by clothing ourselves with the Word of God, with the Spirit of God, and the Power of God so your lamp will not run out of oil and be shut out when He returns (Matthew 25:1-13).

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  2 Timothy 2:1-7

We need to quench this attitude of apathy and replace it with; inspiration, interest, attention, responsiveness, enthusiasm, and action!  Let us, like Paul, with zeal be able to say: 

 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing”.  2 Timothy 4:8 

…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13b-14 

I strongly encourage you as you study, use a less modern translation for your primary text first.  Paraphrase such as; ‘The Living Bible’ (TLB) ‘The Message’ (TM), ‘New Living Translation’ (NLT) etc. these texts should be used for secondary reading as one would use a commentary after reading a proper more accurate translation first. Note that some Bibles allude to being a translation when they are not!  Use cross-references to get a fuller picture, deny your way of thinking and Go Up to God’s way of thinking! (see chapter 1)

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.          1 Thessalonians 5:14-24

Footnotes

[i] McKeever Christians will go through the Tribulation (Omega, 1980, p.5)
[ii] American Heritage Dictionary (ISBN 0-7630-1362-5)
[iii] McKeever Christians will go through the Tribulation (Omega, 1980, p.5)

Last daze Letter to the Body of Christ

Joseph G. Wellhoff / jgw / 1999 - 2016