By Michael Lewis Parsons
Shortly after my conversion 18 years ago, the Lord led me to the thrilling study of predictive Biblical End Times prophecy…something I knew absolutely nothing about, prior to 2004. And yet, after an initial cursory study of Christian eschatology, I came to the conclusion that nothing major was happening prophetically. So, I set my End Times studies aside, for a time, with the thought that I’d pick them up again in the future, at a time when the “birth pains” (AKA signs) mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:8 became more evident.
Now, in 2022, it’s mind-blowing to witness such a 180-degree prophetic turnaround—certainly unprecedented in the history of mankind—whereby we RIGHT NOW are witnessing the complete fulfillment of ALL End Times prophecies, and the imminent Rapture of the Church.
The GOOD NEWS is that—FINALLY, with so much happening prophetically in this world—even the skeptics and the scoffers are beginning to sit up and take notice.
The BAD NEWS? Unfortunately, still so many sincere Christians sit under the false teaching of Biblically-illiterate ministers and teachers who are unable to discern what God is actually saying through prophetic Scripture. Thus, these fugazis confuse their listeners…as they spew nothing but nonsense; all the while, having no Biblical basis for their ridiculous pseudo-eschatological beliefs.
For that reason, here are the Seven Lies Most Christians Believe About the End Times:
(#1) The Antichrist is Jewish.
Because most people view the Antichrist as being friendly to Israel and the Jews, they naturally assume he’s Jewish. For many, they base their belief on Daniel 11, falsely believing the phrase "God of his fathers" proves the Antichrist is a Jew:
"He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all." (Daniel 11:37)
And yet, the Hebrew word for “God” is Elohim, and is used to refer to BOTH the true God, Jehovah, but also false demonic gods. It's not until we read Revelation 13, that the apostle John clears up any ambiguity concerning whether the Antichrist is a Jew or gentile:
“Then I (John) stood on the sand of the SEA (gentile nations). And I saw a beast (Antichrist) rising up out of the SEA...” (Revelation 13:1)
As we know, The SEA in the Bible is almost always a symbolic depiction of the Gentile nations. Thus, for this reason alone, we know the Antichrist is NOT a Jew, but a gentile.
(#2) Israel’s Messiah must be a Jew.
Another reason much of the Church is so convinced that the Antichrist is a Jew is that they’ve been mis-taught that Israel's Messiah MUST be Jewish, as well. And yet, from Israel's rich history, we know Israel’s “messiah figures” of the past have NOT always been Jewish.
The best example of this is Medo-Persian king Cyrus (the Great)—Israel’s GREATEST messianic figure (to date)—a world leader who not only allowed the Jewish people to return to Israel, but also publicly decreed they rebuild the second Jewish Temple.
However, it wasn’t until 1885, after years and years of searching in vain for their Messiah, that the Jews—in a pivotal document signed by the American Jewish Reform Movement, at the 1885 Pittsburgh Platform—REJECTED the traditional Jewish hope that the Messiah MUST come from the lineage of King David.
Further proof that the Jewish Reformers have "lowered the bar" concerning possible Messianic candidates can be found in the Avot (the first prayer of the Amidah), where these Jewish Reformers DELIBERATELY changed the verbiage in their prayer book, from “Hope for a go-el (an actual redeemer)” to “Hope for a geulah (redemption, in general)”. In this way, they were saying that—from now on—the bloodline of Israel’s future messiah is no longer as important as the ultimate salvation of Israel...thus the coming Messiah does NOT have to be a Jew.
Which explains why Israel currently loves Donald Trump so much, doesn't it? And why they have placed his image on their half-shekel coin (superimposed over an image of King Cyrus), and why they NOW view him as their FUTURE (non-Jewish) Messiah—similar to King Cyrus—as they now follow the dictates of the 1885 Pittsburgh Platform...allowing Israel to ignore the fact that Trump is NOT a Jew.
(#3) The Pope is the False Prophet.
For the same reason the Antichrist CANNOT be Jewish, the False Prophet will also NOT be a gentile…but a JEW, as the apostle John once again explains:
"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the EARTH (Earth/land = Israel), and he had two horns like a lamb (spiritual leader) and spoke like a dragon (hypocrite).”(Revelation 13:11)
Because of the well-worn, dog-eared misconception that the Antichrist must be a Jew, most Christians just naturally believe that the False Prophet (AKA Another Beast) is a GENTILE. And since the Pope is currently viewed as the face of the apostate Church—a top religious leader, pushing for ecumenical harmony—much of the Protestant Church falsely surmises that the Pope is the False Teacher/Second Beast…even though we see from Revelation 13:11 that the False Prophet is NOT a gentile—let alone the Pope—and this is a blatant false teaching, found NOWHERE in the Bible.
So, NO, the Pope is not a candidate for the future position of False Prophet, since the Bible says that the False Prophet—the SECOND Beast—MUST be a Jew.
(#4) The Antichrist must come from mainland Europe.
We know from Daniel 7 that the Antichrist will arise —not from an area of the world once known as the ROMAN EMPIRE, but—from an updated, EXPANDED version of the original Roman Empire; an area the Bible NOW refers to as the REVISED (or Revived) Roman Empire…
“After this I (Daniel) saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast (world power), dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth (iron = Roman Empire); it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it (because it’s the LAST beast), and it had ten horns (kings/nations). I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one (an outsider),coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns (3 kings/nations) were plucked out (deposed) by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. (Daniel 7:7-8)
But what about other nations—US, Canada, Australia, et al—who were not even colonized 2,000 years ago? Is there any precedent for adding these nations to the REVISED Roman Empire? Yes, there is. And for that, we must turn to Ezekiel 38, where the prophet describes a NEW group of people; a new nation—an offshoot of Europe, but certainly NOT part of mainland Europe—that may play a MAJOR role in the End Times:
“…the merchants of Tarshish (Western Europe), and all their YOUNG LIONS will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?” (Ezekiel 38:13)
More and more, theologians seem to be in accord in their belief that the “young lions” of Tarshish is a reference to the "relatively young" 246-year-old United States of America. Funny, even as a child, I recall being taught that Tarshish was the far west of Europe, including Spain and the UK…both noted origins of a future US.
Thus, when attempting to ascertain the origin of the Antichrist, I suggest EXPANDING your search to include individuals outside of the European Union (EU), and incorporating a much more expanded and REVISED Roman Empire...realizing that the Antichrist may NOT necessarily reside on the European mainland.
(#5) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture theology is new.
Nothing rankles me more than to hear “false prophets” teach that the pre-Tribulation Rapture theology is a new idea, started almost 200 years ago by some guy named John Darby, in 1830. What rubbish! The ONLY advantage to hearing this worn-out prefabricated fairy tale is—the moment you hear it—you know NOT to trust ANYTHING coming from the mouth of whomever is talking.
Keep in mind that ANY eschatological teaching that denies the Biblical truth of a pre-Tribulation Rapture is not only FALSE, but obviously taught in complete ignorance to the truth (of a pre-Tribulation Rapture) that the apostle Paul taught in his very first two letters—1st and 2nd Thessalonians—when he had to deal with, not one, but two LIES being taught by False Prophets, concerning the imminent Rapture of the Church:
Lie #1. Paul receives a disturbing message from the church in Thessalonica, explaining that a false teacher had LIED to them, saying their loved ones who died in the Faith would miss the Rapture and thus, NOT receive their original bodies in Heaven…meaning, Christians may not recognize their friends and loved ones when they get there. An obvious lie, Paul writes his first letter—1st Thessalonians—to set them straight. He even had Timothy deliver the letter, to lend authenticity.
Lie #2. Then, a year later, Paul receives a SECOND letter from this church, this time saying a false teacher (maybe the same one) had told them the Rapture of the Church had ALREADY happened…and they had been "left behind". So, Paul writes his second letter—2nd Thessalonians—to assure this church that the Rapture had NOT happened…and that Paul, Silas and Timothy were all still present…thus negating yet another false teaching concerning the imminent Rapture of the Church.
But you ask…where EXACTLY in the scripture does Paul confirm a pre-Tribulation Rapture? In 2nd Thessalonians 2:6-8, Paul enlightens the Thessalonian church with the revelatory news that the Holy Spirit (who now seals and indwells the Church) has been RESTRAINING both Satan and (the person who will soon be) the Antichrist for almost 2,000 years—since Pentecost—making it impossible for Satan to begin the final 7-years of "Tribulation" (AKA Daniel’s 70th“week”):
“And now you know what is restraining (Antichrist), that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He (Holy Spirit) who now restrains will do so until He (Holy Spirit) is taken out of the way(in the Rapture). And THEN the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)
With such UNDENIABLE proof (from the Apostle Paul) that the Rapture must both take place BEFORE the Antichrist comes to power…AND before the start of the final 7-years of Tribulation can begin…it’s IMPOSSIBLE to believe in any other Rapture theology other than a pre-Tribulation belief.
(#6) The White-Robed Martyrs are the Church.
Each time I hear a Biblically-challenged preacher get up on stage and completely mis-teach that the White-Robed (aka Whitewashed) martyrs of Revelation 6:9-11 are the CHURCH—the future Bride of Christ—I always feel the urge to jump up on the pew and scream at the idiot in the pulpit to stop preaching such nonsense.
In Revelation, for the first time, John witnessed this group:
“When He (Jesus) opened the fifth seal, I saw UNDER THE ALTAR the souls of those who had been slain (martyred) for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe (denoting righteousness) was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer (until Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation), until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” (Revelation 6:9-11)
Now, if you know your Bible like I know my Bible—and especially those passages where Paul describes the Church as the Body of Christ—then, you already know that the depiction of the White-Robed Martyrs in Revelation 6:9-11 has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in common with the Glorified Church…thus, these Whitewashed individuals CANNOT be the Church.
Even the depiction of the Tribulation Martyrs as being “under the altar”—serving at the feet of Jesus throughout all eternity—should be your first indication that these "whitewashed" Believers are NOT the Bride of Christ. As the Church, we do NOT sit and serve at Christ’s feet. On the contrary, we are His Glorified saints, having the mind of Christ. And as His honored guests, we will soon sit at the right hand of Our Lord…forever.
Later in Revelation 20, we witness the destiny of the White-Robed Martyrs—NOT in Heaven…not in the New Jerusalem, prepared EXCLUSIVELY for the Church—but in Christ’s thousand-year Millennial Kingdom, here on earth (see graphic below)…
"Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had NOT worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ (in His Millennial Kingdom) for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)
"Over such the second death has no power, but they (Tribulation martyrs) shall be priests of God and of Christ; and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)
If you are now a Follower of Jesus Christ, please continue to pray for these individuals, who—having initially REJECTED Jesus Christ as their Saviour—will soon be required to give their lives for their faith…AFTER the Rapture…during the final 7-years of Tribulation.
(#7) After the Rapture...NO ONE can be Saved.
For me, it’s quite comical (and a little embarrassing) to think back to the FIRST time I ATTEMPTED to teach Christian eschatology (it's been over ten years ago, now)…when I actually got up and taught that 'No one can be saved AFTER the Rapture of the Church'. Sure enough, within weeks, the Lord used His Word to first correct me, then guide me to the knowledge that—after the Rapture of the Church—millions of individuals (who were initially "Left Behind") will find Salvation in Christ.
In His Olivet Discourse, where Jesus discusses how to be saved during the final 7 years of Tribulation, he describes the Tribulation Martyrs (from Revelation 7) as a second group of The Elect—completely different from the Church—but still worthy of Christ's Salvation:
"And He (Jesus) will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect (Tribulation martyrs) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:31)
As we know, our Lord's Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 & 25) is written for Tribulation Believers—NOT for we the Raptured Church, who will no longer be on the earth during the Tribulation—to be used as a HOW-TO MANUAL…describing exactly HOW to find (and keep one's) Salvation, during the difficult 7-year Tribulation.
BTW…during this time, with the Church gone, the responsibility of ministering to these individuals will be passed along to a NEW group of prophets: 144,000 specially-selected, young, Spirit-filled, male Jewish evangelists…all preaching the truth—the Gospel of the Kingdom…that—even though a person missed the Rapture—they can still find Salvation and Eternal Life by putting their faith in Jesus Christ…and His future Millennial Kingdom.
NOTE: For instructions on how to be Saved AFTER the Rapture, please read my blog: https://www.mycornerofeternity.com/post/how-to-be-saved-after-the-rapture
Conclusion
When we better understand the TRUTH of God’s Word in eschatological matters, the prophetic picture ALWAYS comes into focus. Thus, on the subject of the End Times, NEVER accept any teaching without first testing it TWO WAYS: first, by the discernment of the Holy Spirit; and then, by the validity and truth of the Holy Bible.
So, keep listening to Jesus. In the end, the voice of Our Lord will NEVER lead you astray.
Shalom.