Frequently Asked Questions


Home	page > Frequently Asked Questions

(1) Q: What about "No Man Can Know the Day or the Hour"?

A: The case for not knowing was limited only to Jesus' disciples at that present time in Matthew 24:36. The case for knowing is based on the principle of friendship. Jesus shares His Father's secrets with His friends (John 15:15). See "Why Should Christians Be Date Setters?" ---New Window for a development of these thoughts.

(2) Q: Is there both a Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Wrath Rapture?

A: Yes. Isn't it just like the LORD to make both the Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Wrath Raptures correct. The First "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 4:1) and the Second "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 11:12,15) describe the two Raptures. See our article "The Seventh Trumpet and the Second Rapture" ---New Window for more on this idea.

(3) Q: What are we to think about modern prophets giving us a "word from the LORD"?

A: Joel 2:28 promises us that the LORD "will pour out [His] Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." These contemporary prophets are held to the standard that "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). See our articles, "A Prophet Hath Been Among Them" ---New Window and "How to Identify a False Prophet" ---New Window , for more details.

(4) Q: Will all who look for a Pre-Tribulational Rapture go at the Appointed Time?

A: No. The shocking truth is that simply looking for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is not enough. Only the Wise Virgins with the oil of the Holy Spirit will be ready to go (Matthew 25:1-13). See our article "A Tale of Ten Virgins" ---New Window for an explanation.

(5) Q: Does Ezekiel's 430 Days prophecy link the ancient past to the present?

A: Most have probably heard of the 70 Weeks of Daniel prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27); however, what have most heard about the 430 Days of Ezekiel prophecy (Ezekiel 4:1-4)? Ezekiel presents a timeline that links ancient Israel to now. See our article "Ezekiel Predicted the 1967 Recapture of Jerusalem" ---New Window for the interesting story.

(6) Q: Now that Pentecost May 31st 1998 has come and gone, do you still think that the Pre-Tribulational Rapture will occur on a future Pentecost?

A: Pentecost is no longer our first choice. Though I (Tom) have written articles, e.g., "The Appointed Times" ---New Window, outlining my belief that the Acts 2 Pentecost was only partially fulfilled with the birth of the Church-- and would be further fulfilled with the Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church-- as of early October 1998, we no longer see it as a necessity that the Rapture must occur on Pentecost. Jack Langford said that Pentecost 1998 was most likely, but another future Pentecost wouId be his second choice. If we are now mistaken about Pentecost and the Beginning of the Tribulation Week, they could be right. I (Tom) have said before that a Date Setter without a date is like an Imminent [Any Moment] Rapturist. "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not" (Luke 12:40). Though we still are Date Setters, we believe the "failure" of the past date(s) are mainly for the LORD to allow us to be sifted "as wheat" (22:31), so that the resulting Wise Virgins (Matthew 25) will be the Truly Ready.

(7) Q: What is your best guess at the timing of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

A: At this time (early October 1998), we believe that the Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:27) will begin on November 19th 1998-- based upon John Zachary's 14,000 Day Generation. Therefore, a Pre-Tribulational Rapture would have to occur at any time between now and November 19th, to be Pre-Tribulational. [See "How Long is a Generation?" ---New Window for our perspective on the Terminal Generation that "shall not pass away" (Luke 21:32).] In any case, we hope to be Raptured soon!

(8) Q: What if you are wrong about your dates?

A: If we are wrong about our dates, then we will simply have to continue waiting and go on trusting the LORD. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

(9) Q: Why don't you remove all mention of the Pentecost 1998 date from your website? Doesn't that prove that you are a false prophet?

A: We do not wish to confuse current and future visitors to our website by keeping articles mentioning the Pentecost 1998 date, but we do not wish to engage in Revisionist History to make things appear that we were not mistaken about our belief in a Pentecost 1998 Rapture. "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight" (Proverbs 12:22). I (Tom) claim to be a teacher, not a prophet; however, that leaves me open to being labelled a "false teacher" (2Peter 2:1). It appears from Scripture that the attempt to lead people away from loving obedience of the LORD is the hallmark of false prophets and false teachers, i.e., "Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them" (Deuteronomy 13:2). Simply pointing to an unsuccessful date, may be more of a test from the LORD, then it would be a "damanble" heresy (2Peter 2:1). [See our article, "A Prophet Hath Been Among Them" ---New Window, for a Scriptural discussion of how to discern a true prophet from a false prophet.]

(10) Q: What prompted you to begin searching for a date?

A: Though we originally were taught the concept of a Pre-Tribulational Rapture from such popular books such as Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth", we were only casual observers of prophecy. "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5). My (Tom's) own subsequent, initial attempts at proving the Rapture concept brought me to a Post-Tribulational Rapture position. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1Thessalonians 5:21).

I (Tom) was reading in "Halley's Bible Handbook" about the "Millennium-Sabbath" Theory, where Henry Halley mentioned the ancient Christian belief from the Epistle of Barnabas, that there was a correspondence of 1,000 years to 1 day for the 6 days of creation, and the 7th day would be the Sabbath or Millennium. "For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past" (Psalm 90:4). Assuming that there would be 2,000 years-- using a 360 day prophetic year-- from the time of the LORD Jesus Christ until the beginning of the Millennium, I arrived at a date, and subtracted off 7 years to arrive at a beginning date for the Tribulation Week of late August 1997. It turns out that my (Tom's) calculations, as ambitious as they were, did not take into consideration the fact that there was no such thing as the Year Zero-- among other things.

We did not even consider at that time that there was a theological position assumed by many that No Man Can Know the Day or the Hour (Matthew 24:36) of the Rapture. Only subsequent to establishing that date did we begin to believe that there would be a Pre-Tribulational Rapture. The promise of Luke 21:36 was key to persuading us. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things [ALL the events of the Tribulation Week] that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). [See our article, "Must There Be a Pre-Tribulational Rapture?" ---New Window , for an eschatalogical discussion of 2 Thessalonians 2 as to why there will be a Pre-Tribulational Rapture.]

(11) Q: Does the Church Age end at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

A: No. Since we believe that there will be more than one Rapture event, then we believe that the last Rapture event, which is the Pre-Wrath Rapture, is the end of the Church Age. The Pre-Wrath Rapture is actually being described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4. "15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 16 For the LORD Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD" (1Thessalonians 4:15-17). [See our article, "The Seventh Trumpet and the Second Rapture" ---New Window, to see the development of this thought.]

(12) Q: What about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Doesn't that event take place during the Tribulation Week after the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

A: That is what we used to think. We now believe that the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9) will include all Saints-- Old Testament, New Testament, and Pre-Wrath Raptured Tribulation Saints-- as the Bride of Christ. "23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church: and He is the Saviour of the Body. 32 This is a Great Mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church" (Ephesians 5:23,32). The guests at the wedding are the Nation Born in a Day (Isaiah 66:8), who are saved at the Second Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ, "immediately after the Tribulation of those days" (Matthew 24:29). These guests-- "both bad and good" (Matthew 22:10)-- will be sorted out from the physical survivors of the Tribulation Week "as a Shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats" (25:32), to arrive at the final guests. The Marriage Supper occurs shortly after the Tribulation Week, concurrent with the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah. "And sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready" (Luke 14:17). [See our article, "A Tale of Ten Virgins" ---New Window , to see a short discussion of "Who is the Bride of Christ?" ---New Window. And, read Matthew 22:1-14 for a description of the Marriage of the King's Son.]

(13) Q: Is the Pre-Tribulational Rapture an eschatological event or a promise claimed by faith?

A: Both. The removal of the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit, Who resides in the Watching and Waiting Saints, is the Pre-Tribulational Rapture event that sets off the other events of the Tribulation Week. "Only He [the Holy Spirit] Who now letteth [restrains] will let [continue to restrain], until He [the Holy Spirit] be taken out of the way [at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture]" (2Thessalonians 2:7). Many have already a familiarity with the Philadelphian Promise: "Because thou hast kept the Word Of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour Of Temptation [the Tribulation Week], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Revelation 3:10). [See the section, "Pre-Tribulational Rapture: Event or Promise?" ---New Window , of our article, "Thy Hidden Ones" ---New Window , for more information. Also, the article, "The Character of God Is Revealed in the Rapture" ---New Window , may further bless your confidence in the Heavenly Bridegroom.]

(14) Q: Who is "worthy to escape" (Luke 21:36) at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, or at any other time?

A: The very fact that the LORD Jesus enjoined us to "watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass" (Luke 21:36) means that: (1) it must be necessary to be "worthy" in order to escape, and (2) it must also be possible to be "worthy". Remember, if we are "accounted worthy", then it is only "by the grace of God [we are] what [we are]" (1Corinthians 15:10). Like salvation, which is By Grace (Godward) Through Faith (manward) (Ephesians 2:8), sanctified walking or "worthy" walking (Colossians 1:10) is "by faith" (manward) (Acts 26:18) through the "Holy Ghost" (Godward) (Romans 15:16). [See the section, "All That Are Accounted Worthy to Escape at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture" ---New Window , of our article, "How to Trust God" ---New Window , to see this thought developed.]

(15) Q: Why is it taking so long for the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

A: Since the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9,13,22) is never late, He will accomplish His purpose in our Pre-Tribulational departure in "the fulness of the time" (Galatians 4:4). Just as the First Advent of the LORD Jesus, so it will be at the Second Advent-- the way of the LORD must be prepared for His appearing. "Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make His paths straight" (Luke 3:4). He must tarry because His way must be prepared. ALL the Saints until the time of His Second Coming, should be praying: "Come [quickly], LORD Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). [See our article, "Why Tarry the Rapture?" ---New Window , for a development of this subject.]

(16) Q: Do you identify the United States of America as Babylon the Great [Revelation18:2]?

A: Yes. we believe that America is Babylon the Great because an angel of the LORD revealed it to Dumitru Duduman. "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper" (2Chronicles 20:20). The angel told Duduman to tell his hearers to read Revelation 18 as proof that the United States was Babylon the Great. We believe that America is the epitome of Babylon the Great, but that the City of the Seven Hills (Rome) represents the final, greater Babylon the Great, which is destroyed toward the end of the Tribulation Week. "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Revelation 18:2). [See the prophecies of Dumitru Duduman, in particular, "America Will Burn" ---New Window for the context of the explanation.]

(17) Q: How do you know that there will be an American Rapture that is separate from the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

A: We believe that the Harlot One World Religious System (Ecumenical Rome) will be destroyed along with the heart of the Whore One World Economic System-- Revelation 17 and 18-- preceding the pouring out of the 7 Vial Judgments (Revelation 16) 8-9 days before the End of the Tribulation Week. Immediately before the Pre-Wrath Rapture, a voice comes out of Heaven, "Come out of her [Babylon], My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (18:4). If the angel correctly told Duduman that America was Babylon the Great, then the Rapture Call to "Come out of her, My people" is ALSO directed at America-- as well as all worldwide Christians. For the sake of the Backslidden Church, we pray that this distinction between the Pre-Tribulational Rapture and the American Rapture is correct. [See our article, "The American Rapture" ---New Window , to see how we arrived at this conclusion.]

(18) Q: Will there be a Tribulation Revival?

A: Yes. There will be a revival during the Tribulation Week, because there will be many unprepared, backslidden Christians who will enter this time of judgment. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1Corinthians 11:31). The reason why Tribulation Saints are martyred during the first half of the Tribulation Week in the 5th Seal Judgment (Revelation 6:9-11) is because "judgment must begin at the house of God" (1Peter 4:17). Charles G. Finney correctly noted that a "revival consists in the return of the Church from her backslidings" (Revival Lectures, p. 7 ---New Window). "O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy" (Habakkuk 3:2). [See the section, "Revival During the Tribulation Week" ---New Window , of our article, "Thy Hidden Ones" ---New Window , to see how the Saints fare during the Tribulation.]

(19) Q: Does your Tribulation Chart depend upon a Pre-Tribulational Rapture occuring 5 1/2 months before the beginning of the Tribulation Week?

A: No. First, the progression of events for the Tribulation Chart was providentially developed from our understanding of Scripture-- before there was any thought given to actual chronological dates. Second, the events progression was refined by the appreciation of Eddie Chumney's work on the Seven Feasts of Israel. Third, John Zachary's 14,000 Day Generation further refined our certainty of the chronological date Beginning of the Tribulation Week, i.e., November 19th 1998. Finally, the 5 1/2 month gap and the May 31st 1998 date were added as an honest hope. Since we do believe the necessity of a Pre-Tribulational Rapture before November 19th 1998, but we do not feel that our Friend the LORD Jesus has yet definitely indicated the exact Day or Hour to us, we still can only guess. "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16). [See our article, "The Appointed Times" ---New Window , to see the potential alignment of the Jewish feasts with future prophetic events. Also, the Tribulation Chart ---New Window has an Index ---New Window that explains, explores, and cross references most of the concepts on the Chart.

(20) Q: Why does Christianity disagree so widely on something as important as the events surrounding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

A: Disagreement over the events of Bible Prophecy can be due to honest or dishonest motivations. The LORD Jesus warned us: "Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24:4), because there will "come in [Christ's] name, [many] saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many [such as the Antichrist]" (24:5). "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many [namely, the False Prophet]" (24:11). Deception will be their means to control humanity. "9 Even him [the Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a Lie [that the Antichrist is God]" (2Thessalonians 2:9-11). [See our article, "Deception" ---New Window , to see how this points to the Second Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.]

Honest differences will also cause disagreement about Bible Prophecy. Since Bible Prophecy is the capstone or culmination of systematic theology, differences on the more basic issues about the person and work of the LORD, as well as sin, salvation, and sanctification, will surface in how you interpret the prophecies. "But the path of the just is as the Shining Light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). It is actually more surprising that there is as much agreement as there presently is! "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

(21) Q: Do you believe in the existence of extraterrestrials, aliens, and UFO's?

A: Yes. We believe that aliens and UFO's are as real as Satan-- "for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2Corinthians 2:11). We believe that Satan, as an "angel of light" (11:14), can manifest himself and his demons in a scientifically measurable form, as "lying wonders" (2Thessalonians 2:9), to confound, mystify, deceive, and ultimately persuade mankind to worship the Antichrist. "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2:4). [See the section, "The Explanation of Deception: UFO's, Alien Abduction, and Paradigm Shift" ---New Window , of our article, "Understanding of the Times" ---New Window , to explore this topic more thoroughly.]

(22) Q: How do you get victory over sinning?

A: When we first became alive spiritually, we encountered the the First Epistle of John-- written for the purpose "that ye may know that ye have Eternal Life" (1John 5:13). We noticed the profound statements of Chapter 3. "Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him" (3:6). Two things eventually became apparent. First, the secret to not sinning is abiding in Christ. Second, knowing Jesus intellectually is different from knowing Him spiritually; therefore, you may sin and cease to know Him spiritually, while intellectually feel that you still know Him. [See our articles, "He Will Subdue Our Iniquities" ---New Window , "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises" ---New Window , and "An Urgent Call to Christian Perfection" ---New Window , to further develop the subject. Further, study of Charles G. Finney's Systematic Theology ---New Window(1851) will give you a much broader understanding of the subject, i.e., entire sanctification, as well as an historical context.]

(23) Q: Why do you call your website What Saith the Scripture (WStS)?

A: We feel it is our honor to remind the Body and tell the World that "we have also a More Sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts" (2Peter 1:19). Since the Word of God is actually only the voice of the LORD Jesus, He goes before us and "we follow Him: for [we] know His voice" (John 10:4). Modern prophecies and teachings may "fail" (1Corinthians 13:8), but ONLY the Word of God "liveth and abideth for ever" (1Peter 1:23). We are actually calling upon people to trust the Living God, who gave us His Word. "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah" (Psalm 62:8). [See our article, "The Word of God" ---New Window , for a "study of Who the WORD is and how the influence of the WORD should be recognized in all that are His." Also, Andrew Murray's "SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES" ---New Window teaches us that "your use of the Word of God, your spiritual life in great measure depends".]

(24) Q: Why do you devote so much space to the Promises?

A: We think the Promises are so important because they are God's means to sanctify us now as well as fit us for Heaven. "Whereby are given unto us Exceeding Great And Precious Promises" (2Peter 1:4). Neglect of the Promises of God is the reason for the failure of professed Christianity to even vaguely resemble the Saviour. "That by These [Precious Promises] ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature [becoming more like Jesus], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (1:4). [Read Robert Gunn's "The Victory List" ---New Window to help you be an Overcomer. Meditate upon the multitude of lists of Promises in our Promises Section ---New Window , then "mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31) in the power of the LORD!]

(25) Q: Do you believe that there is a Conspiracy?

A: Yes. We believe that Satan has conspired against God from the time that he "said in [his] heart" (Isaiah 14:13)-- definition of conspiracy- a plot, especially an illegal one-- I WILL BE GOD. "13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High [that is, I will be God]" (Isaiah 14:13-14). Negatively, all of human history is the story of man being manipulated by Satan to culminate in his usurping appearance "in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2Thessalonians 2:4). This scenario places the Godly, wrestling "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). But positively, history is HIS- Story. "And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1Timothy 3:16).

Does this mean that everything is good or evil-- black or white? Morally, it cannot be otherwise. Jesus said, "He that is not against us is on our part" (Mark 9:40). Also, He said, "No man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). The only question remains, "Whose side are you on?" "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). [See our article, "Understanding of the Times" ---New Window , for a global outlook on how World War 3 has been planned. Especially note the poem, "America the Beautiful" ---New Window by the courageous Judge Roy Moore of Alabama (USA), who refused to remove the Ten Commandments from his court room.]

(26) Q: Who do you think is or will be the Antichrist and the False Prophet?

A: We do not claim any particular insight or expertise at definitely identifying the Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition (2Thessalonians 2:3). The Reformers felt that the Pope was the Antichrist. We sympathize with their reasons for that choice; but, we tend to believe that the one called Maitreya of the New Age Movement may be the Beast, i.e., "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea [the Antichrist], having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (Revelation 13:1). The Pope is probably more qualified for the role of the False Prophet. "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" (13:11). We hope to not know for sure their identity-- until after we are in Heaven.

(27) Q: How many Resurrections do you count?

A: Only two. The First Resurrection is that of the Righteous. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the First Resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6). The Second Resurrection is that of the Damned. "5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another Book was opened, which is the Book Of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (20:5,12).

We realize that some eschatologists have proposed more than two Resurrections to account for what to do with various and sundry Unresurrected Saints. We, also, have run across a difficulty for our position. "And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13). This verse describes the blessedness of those who die in the LORD after the Vial Judgments begin. However, the Pre-Wrath Rapture-- the final Rapture-- takes place directly before the beginning of the Vial Judgments. [See "Tribulation Timeline: When Shall These Things Be? (Part 4)" ---New Window for the placement of the 7 Vial Judgments.] Since we believe that the Resurrection of the Righteous Dead (1Thessalonians 4:16) takes place at this time, what happens to any of the future Righteous that may die, i.e., during the Millennium? Answer: Apparently those Godly who die from that point on ("from henceforth"), are transformed from fleshly to Glorified Bodies ("Blessed") and are immediately rewarded ("their works do follow them"), i.e., Revelation 14:13. No longer will there be waiting for the event of another general Resurrection.

(28) Q: Are you some kind of fool to parade around with a sign that "The End Is Near"?

A: Yes. We account ourselves as "fools for Christ's sake" (1Corinthians 4:10). We have heard many others say that they did not know, in good conscience, how to be silent about what they thought was about to take place. That also makes us watchmen on the wall. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the Word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (Ezekiel 3:17). When the LORD of the Harvest (Luke 10:2) measures the results of the harvest, it will be seen how much good was produced by the "foolish things" (1Corinthians 1:27). May God so account us all to be His Foolish Things, for the "foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1:25).

(29) Q: Do you really believe that your satellite picture of Jesus is genuine?

A: Yes. We know that the End of the Age will be full of signs and wonders-- false and true. The Apostle Peter mentioned this very fact on his Pentecostal sermon. "19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day of the LORD come" (Acts 2:19-20). That may account-- for some-- for the seeming miraculousness of the picture, but what about "lying wonders" (2Thessalonians 2:9)? Again, if it draws us away from loving obedience to God, then it must be rejected, as we would a false prophet. "And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them" (Deuteronomy 13:2). [See our Jehovah Jesus Section ---New Window , or click on the picture at the top of the page for more background on the picture.]

(30) Q: What do you mean by the Church of Philadelphia?

A: The Church of Philadelphia was mentioned by the LORD of the Lampstands (Revelation 1:13), which is Jesus Christ, with the commendation: "Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name" (Revelation 3:8). To that He added: "Because thou hast kept the Word Of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour Of Temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (3:10). We believe this to be the Promise of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture.

Biblical interpreters have viewed the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 as typical of seven kinds of professing Christians, seven kinds of churches, seven stages of the History of the Church, and seven stages of the Tribulation Week. "O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all" (Psalm 104:24). [See the section, "Revival During the Tribulation Week" ---New Window , of our article, "Thy Hidden Ones" ---New Window , to see how we have interpreted the Seven Churches.]

(31) Q: Will most Christians die during the Tribulation Week?

A: We are not so sure that most of the Tribulation Saints will be martyred. Death will be as common as a battlefield to the world during the Tribulation. With a population of approximately 6 billion people, 1/4 or 1.5 billion are scheduled to die during the 4th Seal Judgment alone. "And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth" (Revelation 6:8). Another 1.5 billion or 1/3 of the people-- of the remaining 4.5 billion-- will die in the 6th Trumpet Judgment. "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" (9:15). Combined, the 4th Seal Judgment and the 6th Trumpet Judgment account for the death of about 3 billion or 1/2 of the Earth's initial population of 6 billion. [See our articles, "Tribulation Timeline: When Shall These Things Be? (Part 2)" ---New Window and "(Part 3)" ---New Window to see how the Seal Judgments and Trumpet Judgments unfold.]

But, does that mean that most of the Tribulation Saints will be martyred? "The Character of God Is Revealed in the Rapture" ---New Window outlines why God's character would provide for a Rapture at all. "And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us. God is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1John 4:16). Many will be martyred, but not necessarily most, and certainly not all. [See the section, "Why would there be deliverance for Tribulation Saints?" ---New Window , of our article, "Thy Hidden Ones" ---New Window , for encouragement that the LORD is not finished delivering His Saints! Also, our article, "Martyrdom: They Loved Not Their Lives Unto the Death" ---New Window , is for those for whom physical escape is no longer an issue.]

(32) Q: Why do you have all the Stories, Poems, and Christian books at a website directed toward End Time Christians?

A: We have accumulated many of these resources because the Christians' life is to be more than the study of a Tribulation Chart. ---New Window "For if these things [the Nine Graces or Fruit of Christ] be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ" (2Peter 1:8). We desire to equip the Body "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). [See our Poetry Section ---New Window , Stories Section ---New Window , Fellowship Section ---New Window , and Voices From Philadelphia Section ---New Window for further edification.]

(1) "Where exactly does the Bible say that there is going to be a Tribulation?"

A: Here is our brief answer:

We have an article, "The Seventy Weeks of Daniel" ---New Window, devoted to explaining the concept of the Tribulation. Also, I (Tom), wrote an editorial, "Sir Robert Anderson and the Seventy Weeks of Daniel" ---New Window, that touches on the historical and prophetic significance of Daniel 9:24-27. You may also want to read Sir Robert Anderson's book, "The Coming Prince" ---New Window, that goes to great length in demonstrating that there will be a Tribulation. But, YOU MAY BE HELPED MOST by a study guide compiled by Katie at our website, called "Prophecy FYI: The Tribulation: The Seventieth Week of Daniel" ---New Window. The LORD Jesus Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us what we need to know about Bible Prophecy. "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME" (John 16:13).

Only the Word of God can establish a satisfactory answer to any of these questions.
All else can only support or confirm the Scriptures.
"We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts" (2Peter 1:19).

SEARCHOUR SITE

WStS FOCUS Index

to "Highlights"