Chuck is now in paradise awaiting his resurrection. His blessed hope is no longer the rapture, but the resurrection. But what is our hope likely in, given the fact that freedom is being decimated and Conservative Christians are increasingly being seen as State enemies.

We may not have the means to stem the tidal wave that seems to be approaching, but we should fully understand what that wave may bring for us. I believe that a close look at Missler’s teachings can help in this regard.

Here are some things that he became known for in his teachings:

He called “the Harpazo (the rapture, which he believed to be pre-Trib) the most preposterous teaching in Christianity.” His words. The word Harpazo means to be forcibly caught out. The word itself does not yield the timing of this event. For that we need the Scriptures context.

He says The teaching starts in Jn 14. Where a Jewish brides experience is taught to be representative of Christ’s bride. The Stages–Betrothal, dowery paid, returns to Fathers house to prepare a room or place, then he returns at an unknown time- Missler states that this return is imminent, but he also says that the Bridegroom returns first to his fathers house to build a room and then he returns at an unknown time.

He believes that because Jesus stated that He did not know the hour, that His Father alone knew, and that this fact makes His return unknown and thus imminent.

Now we know that as the Creator, He (Jesus) could just speak the new Jerusalem (our future Dwelling) into existence. But Jesus Himself states that He is preparing this place. Peter knows that this is certainly not all that He is doing, and he further knows that this absence will be for a time beyond his own days or his own time on this earth. To him this return was then not imminent, because Jesus had told him that he will die even as Jesus Himself would die. Others also knew that this return was to be for a long time. Paul wrote of the conditions of the last days that were coming. John added to our understanding of these days when he writes concerning Peters death.

John 21:18-19 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

John recorded his understanding which was then followed by the Revelation of these latter days in a book “the Revelation”. These men knew that they must begin the spread of the Gospel to every Nation tribe and tongue, before all of this that was being taught them could take place.

Imminence certainly is taught in scripture, but it is with the understanding that we are to “watch” for something. What are we to watch for?– the return of Jesus, or the signs leading to that return? When the Bridegroom left to prepare a place the bride knew that he would not return soon. They knew what Jesus had answered them as recorded in Matthew 24 concerning His return. So when His coming was, yet for them, far off, still his return was to be taught by them. And it would incorporate all that He had taught them —

Matthew 25:1, 5-6, 10 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Some hod no extra oil. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Jesus made it clear in His teaching that there were to be signs announcing His coming, and that the Bride would be in danger of becoming weary before that event came. To us the signs are what we have been watching for.

Imminent does not mean near. It means any moment. Yet there is only one specific time that this imminence can be possible, because Jesus’ Father knows the exact day and the exact hour of His Coming. His coming only becomes imminent when we know that it is near, because at that time the signs are fulfilling about us.

Consider, that when you see lightening flashing and a high black thunder cloud on the horizon; then you say that rain is near. But when that cloud is overhead and lightening is lashing all around the area; then you might say that rain is imminent.

So is Missler correct in his teaching on Imminence. Are other teachers correct? This will be a series of articles based on Missler’s writings, not all of them mind you, but enough to catch his flavor Part 11 follows.