I have refuted both of Dr. Ben Witherington’s claims here: https://www.alankurschner.com/2014/10/08/as-it-was-in-the-days-of-noah-do-you-want-to-be-left-behind-or-taken-at-the-second-coming-of-jesus-matthew-2437-41-ep-9/ https://www.alankurschner.com/2014/09/03/does-the-bible-teach-the-rapture-an-explanation-of-1-thessalonians-417-ep-4/
Olivet Discourse
James 5:7–9 – A Pretrib Imminent Rapture or An Expectant Second Coming of Christ? – Ep. 10
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/010-James_5.7-9.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI examined James 5:7–9 arguing that this very popular pretribulational prooftext does not teach that the rapture is “imminent.” Instead, James is teaching that the Lord’s return—his second coming (parousia)—is expectant. The pretribulational definition of imminence is that there cannot be any prophesied events that must occur […]
Responding to Historicism on Matthew 24:15–31
I wrote this piece about three years ago and I want to repost it because it is important in that it refutes the most common interpretation of the Olivet Discourse on the issue of the relationship between the abomination of desolation and the parousia of Christ. https://www.alankurschner.com/2011/12/04/eutheos-immediately-in-matthew-2429-undermines-historicism/
As It Was in the Days of Noah: Do You Want to Be Left Behind or Taken at the Second Coming of Jesus? Matthew 24:37–41 – Ep. 9
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/009-As_It_Was_in_the_Days_of_Noah_Do_You_Want_to_Be_Left_Behind_or_Taken_at_the_Second_Coming_of_Jesus.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Background to the Noahic and “Left Behind” Passage in Matthew 24:37–41 In the first part of the program I gave some background on this issue, explaining why two different groups of pretribulationists hold to opposite viewpoints about this issue and passage. I also explained that there […]
“I WANT to be Left Behind!”
[See also this program devoted to this issue] So goes this pious slogan that I am already hearing in response to the Left Behind movie. There are three articles this week already with that slogan in the title! The irony is that most pretribbers do not believe the allusion “left behind” to the Noahic illustration […]
Where Do Believers Go after the Rapture? – Remain in the Sky, Descend to Earth, or Ushered into Heaven? – Ep. 8
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/008-Where_Do_Believers_Go_after_the_Rapture.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedWhere Do Believers Go after the Rapture? I first explained that after the rapture God’s people will be escorted, not to earth, but to the throne of the Father in heaven. I provided four biblical passages that demonstrate this: 2 Corinthians 4:14 John 14:1–3 Revelation 7:13–15 Isaiah […]
The Third Seal Corresponds to the Birth Pang of Famines in Matthew 24:7
I want to comment on Darrin Ball’s denial that the third seal is not referring to famine, in particular the birth pang of famine in Matthew 24:27. He places the third seal after the midpoint. Ball is a sharp prewrather, but I believe he is mistaken on this issue. 1. One of his main objections […]
A Reply to Dr. Michael Vlach of The Master’s Seminary and His Misrepresentation of the Prewrath Viewpoint
I expect pop pretrib teachers such as Thomas Ice, Tim Lahaye, and others to misrepresent the prewrath position—they do it all the time, and don’t care. They do it on purpose and we know this because they have been repeatedly corrected in private emails and in public on the Internet. This is why Thomas Ice […]
3 Reasons for the Rapture – Ep. 5
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/005-3_Reasons_for_the_Rapture.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI explained that the Bible gives at least three reasons for the rapture. Many people associate “the rapture” with some secret event where millions of people suddenly disappear leaving behind their underwear and pantyhose. That notion is a glory-robbing interpretation from God’s real purposes for the rapture. […]
Does the Bible Teach the Rapture? An Explanation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Ep. 4
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/004-Does_the_Bible_Teach_the_Rapture.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI responded to those who deny that the Bible teaches the rapture by giving biblical evidence for the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. I first described the context of this verse in Thessalonians 4:13-16, leading up to verse 17. Second, I expounded on verse 17 and the […]
The Futurist Interpretation of the Olivet Discourse in Luke 21
The Futurist Interpretation of the Olivet Discourse in Luke 21