Thank you for all of you efforts and insight. I have a question regarding Satan. If he indeed studies scripture to know what he knows about the future, then why didn’t he know about Jesus’ coming crucifixion and what it was going to accomplish? I have read that if he could look into the future, he would have never let it happen. Am I missing something?

I have heard several prophecy teachers state that the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the Tribulation do not necessarily happen at the same time. I believe that to be true. I know that the Tribulation starts when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. I know no one has inside information on the timing of the Rapture because it is a signless event. I just wonder how long of a gap there could possibly be between the Rapture and the Tribulation. The Rapture will undoubtedly put the world into a time of unprecedented crisis and I highly doubt the Antichrist will take too long to take advantage of this time of turmoil before he steps in as the “man with a plan”. Do you have any opinion on what kind of a time frame we might be looking at between these two events?

My step dad has become a very religious man, which is great for him. But he has no relationship with my mom, doesn’t ever contribute any support to the family, and just sits in the garage studying the Bible on the internet. He only speaks to her to remind her she’s supposed to submit to him. He believes the Lord wants him to do this and it’s the right way to live. He has withdrawn himself completely from every day normal life because he’s convinced the world will end soon. Even if that’s true, is this really how the Lord wants him to live?

I am a Christian of 50 years. I have always believed and looked forward to the pre trib rapture of believers. The more I study God’s word the more I am convinced of his soon return. This is just a thought I have had for many years. When Jesus takes out the living Christians will their clothing go with them or will there be lots of little piles of clothing left to indicate to the world that they were once here? I would like your opinion on this if you have one. May God bless you in your ministry. I will meet you one day.

Here’s a paragraph you wrote recently in Ask a Bible Teacher:

“I’ve probably studied the different views of the Rapture as much as any person alive and have always come away convinced of the correctness of the pre-trib position. In fact, over the years my opinion on the timing of the Rapture has gotten earlier in the End Times Scenario, not later.”

Would you please expand on the last sentence with details of things that have caused you to revise your thinking about when the Rapture is likely?

I’m not asking for date-setting. I know it is not possible, and I believe it would be sinful for me to encourage you to do it.

I’ve read your responses to the question of how gentiles were saved in the Old Testament. You say there was a court called the Court of the Gentiles outside the temple that gave Gentiles a chance to recognize God. But what about the people that lived too far away to ever have heard of it? You also say that every person on earth has a bona fide chance to hear the gospel at one point in their life. But what about the time right after Jesus died but the gospel hadn’t been spread yet? What about people in other countries like the Native Americans? (and I don’t believe the Mormon Jesus preached to them). How could they have a chance to accept the gospel if it hadn’t spread to them yet? I’ve read your other answers about nature testifying about God. If someone came to that realization before hearing about Christ, was that enough? Because certainly, it took some time for the gospel to spread.

When the Israelites were about to enter the promised land, the Lord commanded them to kill all the living, men ,women, children. I know our God is firstly and above all love, but he is also judgment. My question is, whats the difference between this situation and the muslim thing of killing those who don’t believe their religion?

In Jesus’ prayer for His disciples (John 17) He says He’s not asking the Father to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one (John 17:15). Those who disagree with the pre-trib position use this as evidence that the church will go through the tribulation. How would you respond to this?

Once the Rapture occurs, based on my understanding, our bodies will be glorified and our sin nature removed. Now, what I am having a difficult time wrapping my mind around is the type of consciousness that will still be present within an individual in regards to all of their earthly memories and emotions. For example, let’s say only one individual in a particular family is Raptured leaving behind their spouse, children, siblings, family and friends, it is hard to fathom how this person will not experience sadness knowing all of their loved ones have been left behind to face the horrors of the Tribulation, and even potentially an eternity in hell should they take the mark during that time period, while they are filled with joy and basking in glory beyond comprehension. I was wondering what your view was on this entire concept.

What is your opinion of casual, infrequent marijuana use by Christians, done in private, in a safe setting? True, it’s use is illegal and health risks of smoking are well documented. Those issues aside, in your opinion is it sinful to enjoy the “buzz” of pot or the sensation that a glass or 2 of wine provides?