Ask a Bible Teacher

Are The Rapture And The 2nd Coming The Same?

Published: August 3, 2006
Q

In your article “Pentecost and the rapture of the Church” you sate: “But we are admonished to learn from Israel’s history (Rom. 15:4) and be aware of the times and seasons so that we should not be caught by surprise as events marking the end of the age unfold (1 Thes. 5:4). For we will not all sleep (die) but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Cor. 15:51-52)”

Isn’t this the exact thing that will happen at the coming of Christ? In Matthew 24:30-31 and Luke 17:24, and also Rev. 6:12-17. So then how can you say the the rapture will be before all these things? Isn’t the rapture and the coming of Christ one thing? they’re both supposed to happen at the sound of the last trumpet. Isn’t the trumpet mentioned above in 1 Cor. 15 the same one mentioned in Matthew 24? And the resemblance in the words used “in a flash in the twinkling of an eye” with the coming of the Son of Man like a flash of a lightning. Don’t these mean the same thing? In a moment ? So then is the coming of the Christ the same as the rapture of the church?


The New Jerusalem

Published: August 1, 2006
Q

Referring to the New Jerusalem; I’ve had this thought that we would be inside it, as if it was a mansion or something that we actually live in. In ‘How Many Christians Are There?’, a recent question you answered, it sounds like we live on it’s surface, like a planet.

Does the Bible clarify this anywhere?


Is Javier Solana The Anti Christ?

Published: July 31, 2006
Q

Revelation 13:18 says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

I understand that in the Jewish alphabet, each letter has a number also. There are many in these last days, who think Javier Solana is the anti-Christ in the making. Does his name add up to 666? I also read that the EU presidency used to rotate every 6 months. But resolution 666 made Solana the president. What do you think?

I just recently found your website and I want to thank you for answering some hard questions for us. God bless you.


Literal Babylon Or The US?

Published: July 31, 2006
Q

A discussion about the involvement of America in the End Times scenario came up and we were looking at Revelation 18. In this discussion, some felt that the U.S. fits the description given to Babylon.

With the number of abortions numbering in the tens of millions, the fight to take God out of everything, and the emasculation of objective moral values, it does make sense that our sins have reached up into heaven as verse 5 mentions.

I would greatly appreciate any insight into this discussion. Do you believe the U.S. fits Babylon or do you have a better country in mind?


Isaiah 17 And The Rapture

Published: July 27, 2006
Q

What is your opinion concerning the timing of the Rapture and Isaiah 17? Specifically, the Bible tells us that the rapture will occur as in the days of Noah and Lot. People will be going about their “normal” lives.

If Damascus is destroyed prior to the rapture, as some believe it will be, how will the world be anything but “normal” knowing that a nuclear detonation has taken place in the world? People will be in a panic mode. It will not be “normal?”


Earth And Mars

Published: July 26, 2006
Q

Could Planet Mars being so close to the Earth in the next month or 2 be a sign of anything to come. Experts are saying it will be able to be seen with the naked eye. They say it will be as big as what a full moon looks like. Not as bright obviously. To call Mars the war planet,is that a stretch in Mythology?


Timing Of The Rapture

Published: July 26, 2006
Q

At what time in bible prophecy does the rapture take place? Is it when the peace treaty with the anti-Christ is signed, the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 or when?

Also does Israel need to be living in an assumed state of peace like I Thessalonians ch 5:3 states?


Tyre And Sidon

Published: July 26, 2006
Q

After hearing the cities, “Tyre and Sidon”, mentioned several times in recent news, I looked them up to see where they fit in the end times scenario. I read your response to the Lebanon question but I was wondering if the scriptures in Ezekiel 27 and 28 are dual fulfillment prophesies…as both cities still exist and are not “under water”.

I also wondered if the “two branches” mentioned in Ezekiel 37 could be taken as the Jews and Gentiles??? Thank you for your insight.


False Peace

Published: July 26, 2006
Q

I agree with one of your recent writings about a “period of peace” coming after this current war, and probably, before Ezk. 38-39. When questioned by his disciples about His return, Jesus said, “it will come at an hour when ye think not” as translated in some bibles. When our wallets and bank accounts are full, when we perceive that the world is doing just fine, with no threats, and we go about our day to day living – do you feel in your spirit that this “false period” of peace as foretold just prior to Ezk. 38-39 could be precisely what Jesus was referring to?

Thanks for being there for those of us who are thirsty and hungry!


What About Lebanon?

Published: July 24, 2006
Q

I thought I’d do a search on Lebanon in the Bible. Aside from the many verses that speak of the beauty, trees, and smell of Lebanon, etc., there are about 10 that seem to portend trouble for the little country. We would enjoy whatever commentary you wish to make.