- Oct 22, 2019
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A: Paul vs the doctrine of imminence and pretribulationism
2 Thessalonians 2
Now I know people will #1. Try to claim that apostasia means physical departure but that is a total non starter unless you want to declare that God does not preserve His word and lets mankind corrupt it making every modern English translation false. If we can't put faith in the Word of God? What can we base our faith on. Extremely dangerous position to take. #2, people will say that the restrainer mentioned in verses 6 and 7 is the Church/Holy Spirit, so the rapture has to take place first.
But that makes no sense because Paul just gave 2 conditions that have to happen before the rapture and second coming happen.
B: Paul vs the doctrine of a separate Rapture and second coming.
I've already shown it in 2 Thessalonians 2 but I'll also back it up with 1 Thessalonians 4, the most commonly cited rapture passage.
C: Paul vs preterism, at least those who claimed that the resurrection (of all the saints) happened at the Cross, a position also held by many amillennials.
2 Timothy 2
D: Paul vs amillennialism in general, in particular the idea that Satan was bound for the thousand years starting at the cross, or that Satan and his angels being thrown down in Revelation 12, was something that happened at the cross.
Ephesians 6
Next up.. 2 Corinthians 4
Ephesians 2
E: Paul vs Postmillennialism, at least the idea that Jesus will return after a millennium of the world getting gradually better and more righteous as time went on.
2 Timothy 3
Hard to say that Paul was premillennial, as the 1000 year duration was not something revealed to Paul but John, but he does not seem to agree with foundational beliefs that prop up post or amillennialism. He also taught against doctrines that prop up pretribulationism.
On the flip side, there's not a lot you can say where Paul might be teaching against premillennialism, and either pre-wrath or post-trib, and Paul was certainly futurist from his day, so you can at least not claim that it all happened at the cross. People who profess AD70 can't be refuted by Paul alone, at least, since Paul died before AD70, so it would still be future for Paul.
2 Thessalonians 2
These events are tied together, which will also be backed up on another popular doctrine next1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
That is don't believe people who try to tell you that the rapture and second coming are imminent, refuting the doctrine of imminence.2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Here he gives the conditions that prevent the rapture and second coming from being immient. It does however BECOME imminent once these events have happened.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Now I know people will #1. Try to claim that apostasia means physical departure but that is a total non starter unless you want to declare that God does not preserve His word and lets mankind corrupt it making every modern English translation false. If we can't put faith in the Word of God? What can we base our faith on. Extremely dangerous position to take. #2, people will say that the restrainer mentioned in verses 6 and 7 is the Church/Holy Spirit, so the rapture has to take place first.
But that makes no sense because Paul just gave 2 conditions that have to happen before the rapture and second coming happen.
B: Paul vs the doctrine of a separate Rapture and second coming.
I've already shown it in 2 Thessalonians 2 but I'll also back it up with 1 Thessalonians 4, the most commonly cited rapture passage.
The first event in the rapture, is the second coming of Christ. You do not have a resurrection, or rapture, before Jesus descends from heaven. No pretribulation poof like you see in the movies.16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
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.
C: Paul vs preterism, at least those who claimed that the resurrection (of all the saints) happened at the Cross, a position also held by many amillennials.
2 Timothy 2
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
D: Paul vs amillennialism in general, in particular the idea that Satan was bound for the thousand years starting at the cross, or that Satan and his angels being thrown down in Revelation 12, was something that happened at the cross.
Ephesians 6
If an enemy is bound so that he can deceive the nations no more, why do we have to stand guard against him?10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
In other translations this is "in heavenly places". If Satan's angels have already been cast out by Paul's time writing this, who then are these rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness and powers and principalities in heavenly places?12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Next up.. 2 Corinthians 4
If Satan is bound and unable to deceive the nations at the time that Paul is writing this.. how is Satan blinding the lost, why is he considered the god of this world? How is Satan preventing the gospel from reaching these people, which by amillennial doctrine, Satan being bound means that Satan can't prevent the spread of the gospel. Yet clearly Paul is teaching that he can blind people and make them unreceptive to the gospel, still, after Jesus resurrected.1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians 2
This is, as of Paul's day, after the cross, a wicked spiritual power that is still at work (and even to our day)1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
E: Paul vs Postmillennialism, at least the idea that Jesus will return after a millennium of the world getting gradually better and more righteous as time went on.
2 Timothy 3
Paul teaches the world will get worse, not slowly better, it'll grow in unrighteousness, not righteousness.1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Hard to say that Paul was premillennial, as the 1000 year duration was not something revealed to Paul but John, but he does not seem to agree with foundational beliefs that prop up post or amillennialism. He also taught against doctrines that prop up pretribulationism.
On the flip side, there's not a lot you can say where Paul might be teaching against premillennialism, and either pre-wrath or post-trib, and Paul was certainly futurist from his day, so you can at least not claim that it all happened at the cross. People who profess AD70 can't be refuted by Paul alone, at least, since Paul died before AD70, so it would still be future for Paul.
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