I’m not a Theologian such as Missler, but I am a 50 Year student of the word. I blog with a perspective toward what is literal within the words of the Bible, but I am definitely premillennial with that perspective.

I critique with Scripture Pre-Trib theology in which I grew up. My main concern with a pre-Trib understanding is over what is not observed by our theologians that is clearly contained within especially Paul’s own writings and Jesus’ teachings, which would aid us in discerning our time and the Raptures timing if allowed to be pursued. This series on Paul has been a deeper dive into what some of you may have already seen from me.

One major oversight seems to be with Paul’s explanation of and our understanding of those found to be worthy as Jesus put it of attaining to “that age and the resurrection”, which is the only criteria that can place us in that age, which is still to come for us all.

Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; Luke 20:34-35

Paul makes clear in his discussion of this coming resurrection in 1 Cor. 15 that it is being “in Christ” that is the only means for our being made worthy for entry (which comes to us) through this resurrection of which Jesus spoke, and thus we are by this resurrection placed into that age which is to come in which there is no marriage or giving in marriage. Paul makes clear that this entire creation now groans for this time where “sons of God” about whom Jesus also speaks here:

Luke 20:36 for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (NASB1995)

This: “the resurrection”, spoken of by Jesus would make even the Jews to whom He spoke to be numbered with these “sons of God”. If only they will be made worthy.

Paul clarifies that accepting Him is man’s only way to this worthy state.

So, even to the Jews, who were baiting Him with their question concerning resurrection, there was the same promise: to be included with the resurrection which results in worthy men becoming the “sons of God”. Paul in his own teachings says: 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)

His emphasis is being in Christ and specifically “all” having the same promise in Him, which will make us worthy of the resurrection. But this point about one being worthy to be resurrected was Jesus’ own requirement for entry into this age of which He spoke.

The Holy Spirit (God) can only proclaim the truth and He does this through His own chosen truth tellers within His own inspired Scripture.

As a result we know that no man can die and be considered worthy to attain to the resurrection without being “in Christ”, and we further know that there are many who will die “in Christ” as saved individuals during the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (NASB1995)

Study to show thyself approved. Truth is found throughout Scripture — here a little, there a little. We are held to believing what the Scripture plainly teaches us through the Holy Spirits discernment.

We can of course hope that not we ourselves, but only people saved after the resurrection and a pre-Trib rapture will in fact see the Great Tribulation where many will die as a result of it as they become subject to Satan’s wrath. But does that hope not defy Scriptures sequence of events? The dead in Christ will rise first and then the Rapture.

If our hope stated above is correct; then all of the dead in Christ do not rise first and Scripture is incorrect. If men who are “saved” during Tribulation are saved in some other way other than being made worthy in Christ; then the Scripture again is incorrect unless it would itself explain how this other salvation is to take place for those saved during the tribulation.

So is our hope wrong? Is what is advertised as the blessed hope, by so many teachers wrong or could it be just misunderstood as I had pointed out in yesterdays post on Paul and the Blessed hope? Unless we can understand Scripture with God’s vision of His blessed Hope for us; then what is Scriptures purpose?