Recently, I have been accused of misrepresenting myself on WordPress.

In what way, you might ask?

  • Challenging those who hold to Traditional Biblical Views, in terms of the timing of the rapture of the Church.
  • Not holding to a traditional Pre-Tribulational Rapture, yet promoting ministries on my blog that do, thus misleading my viewers as to my stance on this subject.
  • Not confronting a follower of my blog who made a random comment that was interpreted as being in line with a preterist belief (in the accuser’s opinion), though absolutely no evidence or other statements are found to support the accusation.
  • Referring to the Didache, a first century church commentary, during a comment exchange with another blogger.

For the sake of fairness, I can understand the reasoning behind some of these statements, and will strive to make my own views more known on the face of my site, where appropriate.

In regard to the others, and in the interest of full disclosure, I declare the following:

I hold to a Pre-Wrath Rapture position.

I have written many posts declaring this position and have never tried to hide my beliefs in this regard. The timing of the rapture is up for debate, at this point. If anyone says they know exactly how and when in the prophetic timeline it will take place, they are deceived. I personally, fully and firmly believe it will happen just before God’s wrath begins at the seven trumpets; and that it is the view most supported by scripture, when taken as a whole. Do I know that for a fact? No. And neither does anyone else. That’s why it’s important to be prepared, come what may.

I promote Ministries that teach the uncompromising Truth of God’s Word.

Photo by John-Mark Smith from Pexels

These days, it is becoming exponentially more difficult to find those who uncompromisingly teach the Truth of God’s Word. So, when I come across what I consider to be a rock solid ministry, preacher, or teacher, I like to make that person or ministry known on my blog. I do not consider their beliefs on the timing of the rapture to negate their solid teaching, nor to exclude them from my library of references. Is the timing of the rapture important? Absolutely. Is it a matter of salvation and/or potential division within the body of Christ? No! If it becomes an issue that causes division, then I believe it’s a matter of a wrong heart attitude. In this scenario, that person’s attitude and actions would exclude them from my library of references.

I make it my goal to Confront and Correct with Gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:25-26

With the exception of a deliberate, defiant anti-biblical, or anti-Christ statement; I do not make it a habit of publicly confronting others for a one-time random, seemingly innocent comment. Especially when there have been no other comments made to support any cause for accusation. Having said that, if I am concerned by what you say I will most likely inquire as to what you meant, either in the comments section or by contacting you privately. And I would hope for the same from you.

I will, at times, refer to extra-biblical works, such as: commentaries, concordances, quotes, etc. for the purpose of adding clarity; while being careful to reference them appropriately.

ChristianPig.com

In my comments, during a non-confrontational exchange with another blogger concerning what the early church believed about the timing of the rapture, I made the following statement:

“The pre-tribulational rapture was originated and distributed by John Nelson Darby in the 1800’s. This is not what the earlier Christians held to. They believed in a rapture that would happen just prior to the day of the Lord, which is what Jesus taught *(in the chapters mentioned above), as well as Paul and Peter. This is also documented in the Didache, which is an extra-biblical teaching/commentary from the earliest church/apostles. Although it doesn’t carry the weight of the Bible, it does confirm what the early church held to in terms of eschatology.”

*Scripture Chapters include Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21

For this, I was told: “It appears you’d rather challenge those who hold to traditional biblical views and leave the *Preterists unchallenged.” [emphasis mine]

*See comments under heading, ‘I make it my goal to Confront and Correct with Gentleness’, for explanation behind the Preterist reference.

Let me be clear: I place little to no value on traditional biblical views. Rather, I place value on what the Bible alone has to say. How a person interprets the Bible (myself included) does not make it doctrine. And I will most certainly challenge anyone that refers to tradition as doctrine.

I do not, I never have, nor will I ever quote any extra-biblical resource as a matter of Truth or Doctrine. Nor did I do this in my exchange above. My point in referencing the Didache in the exchange above, was to show by their own words what the first century believers held to in terms of the timing of the rapture – which, as it turns out, is in direct opposition to what that blogger teaches.

Bottom Line

In all things, I stand firm in this:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God might be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV