Imminency, has the church always taught this novel doctrine?

In Rapture Timing Part 4, the subject of imminency is refuted.

Imminency: is it biblical? Or, was it created in order to fit nicely into the pre-tribulation doctrine?

The video below is the third in an ongoing series. In rapture timing part 4, Joel Richardson discusses another common point of view within rapture theology.

Imminency: is it biblical?

Joel addresses that question directly in the following video. He is an excellent spokesperson for this challenging and often contentious topic. As noted before, he and other teachers in the FAI Ministries are working hard to present a clear picture of correct biblical interpretation. Especially so, on the subject of end-times prophecy.

 

Acts 1:11 Was Imminency true even after this event?

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 

 

Joel Richardson teaching on Imminency. Rapture Timing Part 4

 

See the following reason many Christians believe the rapture could happen at any moment.

 

DEFINITION OF IMMINENCY from the rapture-ready forum

What is the biblical definition of imminency? Four important elements contribute to a pretribulation understanding of imminency.

First:

Imminency means that the rapture could take place at any moment. While other events may take place before the rapture, no event must precede it. If prior events are required before the rapture, then the rapture could not be described as imminent. Thus, if any event were required to occur before the rapture, then the concept of imminency would be destroyed.

Second:

Since the rapture is imminent and could happen at any moment, then it follows that one must be prepared for it to occur at any time, without sign or warning.

Third:

Imminency eliminates any attempt at date setting. Date setting is impossible since the rapture is signless (i.e., providing no basis for date setting) and if imminency is really true, the moment a date was fixed then Christ could not come at any moment, destroying imminency.

Fourth:

Renold Showers says, “A person cannot legitimately say that an imminent event will happen soon. The term ‘soon’ implies that an event must take place ‘within a short time (after a particular point of time specified or implied).’ By contrast, an imminent event may take place within a short time, but it does not have to do so in order to be imminent. As I hope you can see by now, “imminent” is not equal to ‘soon.’ ” 1 A. T. Pierson has noted that “Imminence is the combination of two conditions, viz., certainty and uncertainty.

By an imminent event, we mean one which is certain to occur at some time, uncertain at what time.” 2

 

John 21:23

 

Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

 

IMMINENCY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The fact that Christ could return, but may not soon, at any moment, yet without the necessity of signs preceding His return, requires the kind of imminence taught by pretribulationism.

What New Testament passages teach this truth? Those verses stating that Christ could return at any moment, without warning, and those instructing believers to wait and look for the Lord’s coming, teach the doctrine of imminence.

Note the following New Testament passages:

1 Corinthians 1:7-

“awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

1 Corinthians 16:22-

“Maranatha.”

Philippians 3:20-

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 4:5-

“The Lord is near.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10-

“to wait for His Son from heaven,”

1 Thessalonians 4:13

 

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

 

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

 

 

For those new to this site or in need of a reminder

I am a retired children’s pastor with over 40 years of service to local churches. As a born-again believer, birthed from the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, I matured in my faith under the teaching and guidance of Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith. And I am very grateful for so much of those early years. A truly wonderful experience for many reasons.

The pre-tribulation rapture was and is a staple and foundational doctrine in the Calvary Chapel denomination. Though officially, those churches are considered non-denominational. And as a volunteer and then a pastor/leader in those ministries, it was required of me to adhere to this teaching. It may be surprising to some, but Calvary Chapel Pastors are not allowed to teach Bible prophecy that does not reflect strict adherence to the doctrines espoused by Hal Lindsey and similar ministers.

 

Read, study & think

But eventually, as a dedicated student of the Bible, I grew increasingly uncomfortable with glaring inconsistencies in the prophetic verse-twisting and errors I found. So, to use a modern catchphrase, I transitioned out of Calvary Chapel. It was a slow process but in time, it became clear to leadership that I wasn’t a ‘team player.’ I had the audacity to read, study and think differently from every cookie-cutter pastor and leader. As you might guess, it became a choice between a regular paycheck with an honorable position, or “shut the door on your way out.” I chose the door. 🙂

But in my early years, I was properly trained and equipped to teach Bible prophecy according to the accepted model. I was a faithful parrot of the pre-tribulation rapture model until I could no longer allow myself to preach and teach what I knew was wrong.

I say this to point out that I fully understand why proponents of this doctrine support it so strongly. Since I studied under their best teachers and taught it effectively for years.

 

related content for Rapture & Imminency Articles

The End-of-days doctrines of the early Church fathers 

Irenaeus, a Church Father, gave early Christians a warning 

Parable of the Tares & Churches in the Kingdom Parables 

 

 

 

Imminency and rapture timing
In John 15, Jesus gave the Church a warning

 

 

The ClayWriter

Imminency now?

White Stone Watcher

Hello readers,

I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.

I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.

Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.

I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.

God is calling them.

Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.

Pastor Doug


Comments

4 responses to “Imminency, has the church always taught this novel doctrine?”

  1. No, the rapture is not imminent because many scriptures have yet to be fulfilled. Acts 3:212, 1 Corinthians 1;26, Matthew 22:44,
    Doing the works of Christ and greater works, I have already written so of the point I have toward the subject.
    The stone of Daniel has to grow to fill the whole earth which tells us the Kingdom of God will grow and fill the whole earth.

    Since God has all power and all knowledge why is He allowing any and all tribulation unless He has a purpose? The purpose is to cause us to mature and grow up. Let us desire to grow up instead of wanting to go up. Please read the upcoming book, “Antichrist and the Third Day Overcomers.”

    Here I send you a few of my thoughts.1) Act 3:21 Whom (Jesus) the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, (everything) which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

    Jesus must remain in heaven until everything that mankind has lost since Adam and Eve must be restored to mankind then He can come back.

    2) Matthew 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till (until) I make thine enemies thy footstool?

    The Father is speaking and He says that the Lord Jesus MUST remain in heaven until His enemies are put under His feet. The last enemy is dead. (I Corinthians 15:26)

    He can’t even come halfway. This is repeated in Psalm 110:2; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:34; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 8:11; Hebrews 12:22; 1 Peter 3:22;

    Whom are you going to believe, scripture or man’s theology?

    1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

    3) Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he (Jesus) forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
    Mat 13:25 …his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
    Mat 13:26 …appeared the tares also.
    Mat 13:27 …from whence then hath it tares?
    Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. (the servant asks) shall we go and gather them up?
    Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
    Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first (FIRST) the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

    God will wait until the end so as not to damage or uproot the wheat The harvest is always at the end of the season and is never before the end. MATURITY has to happen before the gathering is done. The tares are first gathered up before the wheat.

    Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

    Jesus is speaking and He confirms that the harvest will be at the end of the world and not before.
    Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

    Ephesians 4:13 Till (Until) 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:

    How mature is the body of Christ going to become? To the fullness of Christ. Yes, I know this sounds impossible but that is because we do not see what God will yet do. We only see the present-day chaos and that is why we want a disappearing act. We are yet children.

    You need to read the book, “Antichrist and the Third Day Overcomers.

    4) Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

    Once the leaven, the word of God enters the meal, it cannot, will not ever be removed. The whole earth will be filled. It will be filled with the glory of God as prophesied.

    5) Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
    Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
    Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

    The ear is changing, growing without being noticed, but it is changing

    Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, (mature) immediately he putteth in the sickle, (great harvest) because the harvest is come. (Thessalonians 1:3)

    Once the corn is MATURE then comes the great harvest. You never harvest the immature.

    6) 1 Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, (protected) and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

    1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)

    Surely scripture would tell us if there was a prior coming, but nothing is said of a prior coming. We all wish we could avoid any and all tribulations in our carnal flesh.

    Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

    Jesus is coming back with His saints when He comes back. It does not say that He comes back with His saints on His second return but when He comes back.

    Check out the words “His saints” and you will see many places where it says that Jesus is coming back with them.

    7) 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 them which are asleep.

    Scripture tells us a remnant will remain unto the coming of the Lord. The apostle was speaking to mature Believers when he spoke of remaining.

    1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.

    If there would be a prior “taken away” this would have been the perfect place to mention it but nothing is said.

    8) Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

    Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

    Revelation speaks of the Overcomers. To overcome you have to remain and be on the earth. You overcome your sinful nature, the lust for the world, and you overcome the antichrist. You then rule with Christ. To rule the nations, they are still on the earth.

    Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

    They have to be on earth to overcome. They continued and were faithful even if they were put to death. They were not taken out or removed before being tested.

    9) Revelation 12:14 And to the woman ( church, immature Christians) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, (still on the earth) into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, (Still here for 3.5 years) from the face of the serpent.
    Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
    Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, (she is NOT in heaven) and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
    Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

    The woman, the church has to be on the earth to be able to have the man-child. You have to be on the earth for the dragon to make war against her. They are protected while on the earth. They keep God’s commandments. They are not removed. Why would there have been a prior removal of saints more than these saints?

    10) 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

    This is what it will be like when the Lord returns. He is coming as thief for those who are living for Him, the unbelievers and sinners.

    Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

    When Christ appears He will appear to all and all will see Him and hear His arrival. The apostle does not say at Christ second coming but when He appears, His people will also appear with Him in Glory.
    ****

    Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

    This is tribulation whenever and wherever a person is.

    Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

    Will there be a great falling away? Will it be because God’s people have been told a lie that they will be gone from the earth and are still on the earth to face a tribulation?

    Wow to the one who teaches false doctrine.

    1. My titles and leading paragraphs are intended to draw attention (often not indicating what I believe the scriptures teach), and especially from those who are led astray by poor biblical interpretations.

      I’m guessing by your insistence that I support a pre-tribulation rapture, it seems that you only read the titles of my articles.

      Maybe you could dig a little deeper into the article you are critiquing. Just a thought

      I see things in your lengthy comments that I don’t agree with, but won’t bother to engage, because I don’t know if you’re taking the time to read past the first few lines; if that.

  2. Sorry, My intentions were to agree with you if you believe in Tribulation at the end when the Lord returns to the earth. My first post was against a PreTrib and MidTrib position because many scriptures have yet to be fulfilled. What is missing in the equation is what God will be doing with His people who are to grow up and do the works of Christ. The 10 points of the OT and the NT were given for your readers to consider others who search for the truth. Blessing Justin

    1. No worries, I respect your intent to lay out scriptures for others to consider.

      There are far too few believers who are willing to take an honest look at their beliefs or interpretations. There is often strict adherence to whatever their favorite teacher, theologian, or youtube superstar teaches.

      And that is obviously not what good students of God’s Word should do.

      Thank you for your input

Let me know what you think.

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