Satan's final trick...

Many of you have probably heard about the quote (or have at least heard the theory) of Satan's greatest trick.  Satan's greatest trick is deceiving people into believing he doesn't exist.  Deception is his specialty.  It started in the garden with Adam and Eve and he's been hard at work on it ever since.

Some examples of his deceptions can be found within the various religions across the world.  There are similarities in each and every one.  Each one contains elements that make it seem plausible.  Each one contains history that makes it seem legitimate.  Each follower believes so heavily in their religion, they feel it is the one true way towards eternal life.  Each one is just close enough to the real thing to gain followers, but just far enough away to fail at the ultimate goal of eternity with God.  Think of the analogy of a fake Rolex.  It looks like it, feels like it, and acts like it.  But it isn't a Rolex.

So consider this.  If Satan's greatest trick is making people believe he doesn't exist and his greatest tool is deception, which religious set of beliefs is he going to focus the majority of his attention on in trying to "debunk"?  The answer in this writer's opinion is that he is going to focus on the one that is the biggest threat to his plans. There is no reason why he would attempt to thwart those that he placed in play to begin with.

But his tricks are not limited to breaking people into various faith groups.  He is hard at work inside the Christian community as well.  Christians often disagree on elements within the Bible among the various denominations such as the Baptists, Methodist and so on.  Why the strife here?  You would think that if each holds the core values leading to eternal life, the differences wouldn't be important.  And I'll tell you most of the churches hold to that theory.  "We can disagree on the minor things as long as we agree on the major ones."

That might be true, but I feel that also might be where Satan is his trickiest.  Specifically in two main areas that are the focus of this blog.

A) The timing of the Rapture.
B) The belief that you can not lose your salvation.

A) THE RAPTURE

First, let's level set on what sometimes becomes the focal point of this argument. The word "rapture" does not appear in the Bible.  It is a synonym for the phrase "being caught up".   The fact that the actual term is not in the Bible is irrelevant.  It is a term to describe an event, which  does occur in the Bible.  The rapture itself is very vividly described by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (KJV)

"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."

There are varying views within the Christian community on when the Rapture will occur (and each of those views come with some pretty hefty names - don't get bogged down by the names...).  I'm going to keep it simple and focus on just two.

1) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture (Dispensational Premillennial)
2) The Post-Tribulation Rapture (Historical Premillenial)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Your first question might be, "What is the Tribulation?" To quote the movie Armageddon, imagine "the worst parts of the Bible."  It is the time described in the book of Revelation where God pours out his wrath on the earth and leads right up to the time of Jesus's return for his thousand year reign (which people also debate when the reign will be, but that's a topic for another day) on earth and the defeat of Satan forever.

Of the two, you are probably more familiar with the Pre-Trib Rapture.  It is the premise of the "Left Behind" novel series.  In the Pre-Trib Rapture, all the saved Christians are "caught up" and brought to Jesus in Heaven before the Tribulation period begins.  The Pre-Trib theory holds that God doesn't want the Christians to have to endure or go through the horrific events of the Tribulation and/or Apocalypse, and therefore they are raptured before it happens.  After the Pre-Trib Rapture, those remaining have the opportunity to redeem themselves and receive salvation.  But it isn't going to be easy.

The arguments and Biblical references for a Pre-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  Just as the arguments and references for a Post-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  I'm not going to attempt to spell all those out for you in this blog (search the internet and read your Bible on these subjects - you'll be occupied for the next year or more...).

I personally believe it will be a post tribulation rapture. I hope I'm wrong.   I mean who would want to endure the tribulation.  Not me, but that doesn't change my opinion that we will endure it if we're alive when it kicks off.

As Russell Moore (president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention) is quoted as saying, "This author (Moore) certainly hopes he is wrong about the timing of the rapture and will gladly concede this point to his pretribulational friends while flying through the atmosphere."

Here is a short list of some of the reasons I believe we will endure the Tribulation (it isn't the full list)

• Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (preceding and following) doesn't specifically say when it will happen.
• I believe Revelation 19:11-18 paints a distinctly similar description of the rapture, and Revelation 19 occurs after the Tribulation.
• Revelation repeatedly refers to "saints", "the elect", "holy ones".  These terms throughout the rest of the New Testament refer to Christians.  (I don't buy the argument that in Revelation it is only referring to those who weren't raptured and have converted).
• Matthew 24 (Mark 13, Luke 21) - the Olivet Discourse.  Jesus specifically declares the things will happen to "you".  "You will be persecuted and put to death." Jesus doesn't refer to those experiencing it will be someone else.  He says "you".
• Matthew 24:30-31 - After Jesus tells of the woes of the end of time and the Tribulation being completed, he states this; (KJV)

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

So now you ask, "So what difference does it make which theory I hold as truthful?"

The answer; it could make all the difference in the world.

What will the mark be?

Imagine if you've gone your whole life waiting for Jesus to call you home and save you from the misery on earth and that doesn't happen...  And if suddenly you find yourself in the midst of the Apocalypse being persecuted and faced with choices like "the mark of the beast" or starving, what is your mindset going to be?  What choices will you make?

You might feel abandoned or betrayed. You might look for some form of comfort or aid in your time of need. You may even question the validity of all you know.  And who'll be there ready to help you out during your time of distress? Satan, through the Antichrist.

"Not me!" you shout and I commend you!  I hope I have that same resolve and strength.

But, go read Revelation and Matthew 24 again. Study it. I know you're tough, but really read it.  Read it from the point of view of someone who will have to go through it.  Don't read it like some fairy tale Sunday School lesson that glosses over it.  "Don't worry children, we'll all be gone when this happens".  Read like its your own future biography.  Then ask yourself again, "can I endure it?"

Another thing to remember, it won't be just you having to endure it. Your family and loved ones will be enduring it as well.  How strong will your resolve be then?

Now that I've thoroughly ruined your day or at least opened your eyes to the possibility...

You are now saying, "Well even if I have to endure it, it doesn't matter.  I've been saved and the Tribulation only last seven years.  I'll make it or if I die, then so be it."

Sounds like a logical approach.  So long as your belief that you can't lose your salvation is as sound as your belief was that the rapture occurs before the Tribulation.

Which brings me to the next topic, "Can you lose your salvation?"

But you're going to have to wait for that.  Stay tuned and look for Part II of this series next week.

Rob
www.starvt.com

Read Part II of this series.