Hosted by:
Ron Moore
Zeb Thomas – The Bible Chapel, Washington Campus Director
Maria Stockman
Question 1:
I’d like to better understand The Bible Chapel’s position on the rapture and tribulation. I know that this can get into a lot of complicated issues but I have recently gotten into a number of conversations with believers and think it’s important to have a clear understanding of our church’s position and why we adhere to it.
Eschatology – the study of last things
As Evangelical Christians we believe the following
Jesus Christ one day is going to physical return to the earth. (Revelation 20)
There will be a bodily resurrection.
There will be a final judgement. For Satan, believers, and non-believers alike.
End Times Calendar:
Rapture - Christ comes back; those who know Christ, first those who have died, their resurrected bodies reach their souls, those that are living are taken up
Tribulation – At the end of this period Christ comes back to Earth
Millennium – Millennium kingdom, 1000 year reign then the Eternal State
Link to Revelation Series - http://www.biblechapel.org/the-journey/series/revelation/
Question 2:
In Revelations 1:7 that Jesus returns with the clouds with every eye on him, even those who pierced him. Does that mean all of Heaven and Earth? Like the thief that was crucified with him that went to paradise?
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Revelation 1:7
“Not only is this talking about those who actually pierced him, but those who did so by their sins.”
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 552). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Those who pierced Jesus = All of us as we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Question 3:
Here’s another one... what about all those Jewish people that died in the holocaust for being Jewish... they didn’t know Christ. But it always seems overwhelming that so many of God’s chosen people were exterminated...and yet?"
Zeb said a wise man asked him this question: What happens to an innocent man in the jungles of the Congo, who lives out all of his days without hearing the name of Jesus Christ. Are you saying that he would go to Hell because he didn’t know Jesus?
Inaccurately viewing the nature of humanity and the nature of sin and how God sees us.
There is no such thing as an innocent man. Scripture is crystal clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Everyone has an accounting to reckon for their sin. Apart from Christ we are lost.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:18-20
Jesus came to do what we could never do for ourselves.
Jesus is the only way, not one of many ways, the only way to have a relationship with God. Regardless of the persecution or challenges they may face.
If you have more questions please send them to Maria Stockman, mstockman@biblechapel.org.
