(Jeremiah 1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2)

It’s incomprehensible to me how certain Christians can read Paul’s Thessalonian letters and come away with anything except a pre-Tribulation Rapture interpretation. In the second chapter of the second letter, Paul tells the church that the things of which he will speak next will not happen until the advent of one very important event. He says in 2 Thessalonians 2:1:

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him…”

False teachers had been infiltrating the church and distressing the believers into thinking that the Tribulation had already begun. Paul reassures them that there is a critical first event before this occurs. Yes, Jesus Christ is coming. At that time, those in Christ will be gathered to him. This refers to an assembling of those who believe. Paul says: ‘You haven’t missed that seminal event. The false teachers saying the Day of the Lord has come are incorrect.’

What is the Day of the Lord? This is often misconstrued. Post-Trib Rapture adherents relegate the term strictly to the 2nd coming of Jesus on the single day that He returns to earth at the Armageddon conflict. But a survey of Old Testament usage indicates that it refers to the entire period of time associated with the seven years of the Tribulation.

Well-regarded Bible prophecy expert Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in his comprehensive book The Footsteps of the Messiah (https://www.amazon.com/dp/195105959X/), discusses this with the following comment:

“The term the Day of Jehovah is the most common term in the Old Testament for the Tribulation. It is a period of time that begins with the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant and ends with the Second Coming of Messiah exactly seven years later…. A study of the term in every passage will show that it is never used in any context except that of the Tribulation.”

What has to happen before the Tribulation, i.e., the Day of the Lord, begins? Paul lays this out in 2 Thessalonians 2:3:

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…”

The rebellion in this verse has been the topic of much discussion. Various translations also use falling away or apostasy. It is argued that earlier Bibles prior to King James, such as the 1599 Geneva Bible, show the translation of this Greek word differently and correctly. This version states:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that man of sin be disclosed, even the son of perdition.”

As you can see, it speaks of a departing. That’s quite different than apostasy. Interpreted as a rebellion or falling away implies that there will be a massive turning from the truth of the Gospel, i.e., away from belief in God. If seen as a departure, it is considered as a description of the Rapture.

There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. I’m agnostic about it. If it means that a wholesale turning away from the Lord happens prior to the Rapture, I’m good with that because we’re certainly seeing that in these latter days. If instead it means that the man of lawlessness can only be revealed once the Rapture occurs, that’s even better in my book.

Regardless of these two interpretations, something dramatic happens, and only then can the Antichrist come forth onto the world stage. There is a restraining force in play that keeps him hidden. It is God Himself who holds back lawlessness until the right time (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

The Restrainer, of course, is the Holy Spirit. The mystery of His restraint is that He indwells every believer. In addition, He is integral to and indwelling the true church of Jesus Christ in its ability for the saints to assemble. Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8:

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”

The restraint of the Holy Spirit remains until He is removed. Then, and only then, can Antichrist be made known. Is it the apostasy or the departure that enables this to occur? Yes. The apostasy inevitably leads to the Rapture. However one wants to define the term, the snatching away of believers by Christ in the clouds, and by extension, the removal of the church as a dwelling place for the Spirit on earth, must happen as the first move of God to allow all other events in the end-times scenario.

This opens the door for Antichrist to demonstrate his charisma and power and to draw the secular world to him. But he is a deceiver and eventually indwelt by the father of lies. As such, mankind is deceived. Only by the grace of God do many have their eyes opened and refuse Antichrist’s charms and sorceries, thus turning to faith in Christ in the midst of this incredible darkness.

The bottom line for Paul in writing to this church was that the seminal event enabling the son of perdition to come to prominence and thus initiate the 7-year Tribulation was the Rapture of the true church. Nothing regarding the Day of the Lord could take place until the chaos of lawlessness could be unleashed. That only happens when the Holy Spirit ceases to restrain evil in the world.

For those who think we have to go through some or all of the Tribulation, the error is that these terrible seven years simply cannot even begin until the Rapture. That mysterious event is what triggers everything.

Just as Jesus declared and Paul echoed Him: “Don’t be deceived.”

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The Lord put it on my heart this year to write a daily essay relating to my practice of Reading Through the Bible in a Year. Last year, that resulted in my producing the Awaken Bible Study Notes, a 4-volume set correlating with each quarter’s readings. This year in my writings, truly through the grace of God, I’m producing the 4-volume Awaken Bible Commentary and Reflections series. Volume 1, which covers January – March (Genesis 1 – Judges 5; Matthew 1 – Luke 7), is now available on Amazon in both paper and Kindle e-book formats at this link:

Awaken Bible Commentary and Reflections series Volume 1

If these daily writings have been a blessing to you, I hope that you’ll acquire this first book and the subsequent ones as I finish editing them. My intent in all I write is to bring God the glory and to make His people think. As in the Study Notes from last year, the Commentary and Reflections delve into the prophetic and supernatural nature of God’s Word, a combination you simply won’t find elsewhere.

They attempt to show the parallels to our times and the peril from the past when God’s people turn away from Him and His commands. Scripture is very much a blueprint for today.

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Gary W. Ritter is a lay pastor, Bible teacher, and prolific author. His Whirlwind Series comprises three books: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind, and There Is a Time. These books are contained in the collected volume of the Whirlwind Omnibus. Gary has written many other Christian thrillers that will challenge you, and which you can learn about at his website:www.GaryRitter.com. Recently, Gary wrote a novella for the new Kindle Vella platform called Tribulation Rising: Seal Judgments – The Coming Apocalypse. This seven-part short work can be found at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099Z462WD. You can also watch Gary’s video Bible teachings on Rumble at his Awaken Bible Prophecy channel: https://rumble.com/c/c-783217.

John 14:1-3; “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

John 3:16-18; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Then 1 John 5:12; “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” Please note, there are no other options as given in John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.

There are a number of songs that refer to mansions in Heaven. Probably the most popular is “Mansion Just Over the Hilltop.” Another is “There Is a Mansion,” also “Just Build My Mansion,” and “In My Father’s House.” All have been recorded by many artists, but by far, “Mansion Just Over the Hilltop” probably has been recorded the most. It was written by Ira Stanphill in 1949.

One song written by Curtis Stewart of Alabama strikes home for me over all the others. It was recorded by several artists, but the version I associate with the most is by Hank Williams Sr and was written sometime in the 1940s.

1.) Many years I’ve been looking for a place to call home. But I fail yet to find it, so I must travel on. I don’t care for fine mansions on earth’s sinking sand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land.

Ref) Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. In the shade of the Tree of Life, that it may ever stand. Where I can just hear the angels sing and shake Jesus’ hand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land.

2.) Blessed Lord, I’m not asking to live in the midst. For I know I’m not worthy of such splendor as this. But I’m asking for mercy while humbly I stand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. (ref)

3.) I have many loved ones who’ve gone on their way. On the grapevine of mourning, shall I hear them say, ‘come and join in the singing, and play in our band.’ Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. (ref)

Revelation 21:16-17 gives the dimensions of the new Holy City of Jerusalem. This will come down from Heaven after the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15, and only those who will be with Jesus forever will occupy the New City. Revelation 16-17; “The City lies foursquare; its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits, by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement.”

The ancient Greek stadia is a unit of measurement that is approximately 600 feet. Also, a cubit is approximately 18 inches. Using these figures as approximate measurements of the New Jerusalem, the city is about 1,400 miles long, wide and high. The walls are approximately 220 feet high.

When the song says, “I’m not worthy, of such splendor as this,” consider that the wall is built of Jasper. The city is pure gold like clear glass. The foundations are Jasper, Sapphire, Agate, Emerald, Onyx, Carnelian, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst. Just to let you know, I’m not familiar with about four of these elements. Also, there are twelve gates, three on each side, and each gate is made of a single Pearl. The streets are pure gold like transparent glass (Revelation 21:18-21).

There is no place on this earth that can begin to compare with God’s City. Yes, there are some beautiful castles, mansions, and even some cities, but their “splendor” is dull compared to what’s waiting for us. Also, there will be room enough for all who will have received and accepted Jesus after His sacrifice and all who were in God’s will prior to Calvary.

What’s so sad is there is nothing difficult or impossible that would keep anyone from having a place in the New City. Jesus paid our “forever rent” through His shed blood on a cross that should have been ours. He paid for sins He never committed so we could have such a wonderful forever. The price demanded by God has been paid in full!

Is there anything I can pay, or is there any deed I can do to earn a place there? Absolutely not. As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by Grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

I can totally relate to, “But I’m asking for mercy while humbly I stand.” My Savior would be totally justified to cast me into outer darkness forever for all the sin that was done by me in my lifetime. However, He has loved everyone to the point that He gave Himself willingly for all who would receive and accept his gift (John 10:18).

There are requirements from God that must be met in order for a “room” to be prepared for us. The same requirements are for everyone, no matter what our lot in life is, and the last requirement says it all.

Romans 10:9-13 gives the steps – the ABCs if you will – to becoming a member of our Precious Shepherd’s flock (John 10).

Step one; “because if you confess with your mouth [admit] that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is enhanced by John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 referenced earlier. These two verses plainly state that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and therefore the only way to a Home in the New Jerusalem.

Next, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says that everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame” (Also Isaiah 45:17).

One question here: what about those who cannot speak? If they can’t say “with their mouths” that they believe in Jesus and ask His forgiveness, are they lost? Everyone has a “language” they can use in communicating with the Father, even if it is silent to this world. The part that tells this is “For with the heart one believes and is justified.” The confession is to God, and when one truly believes Jesus is their Savior, their “mental” prayers to the Father are heard by Him loud and clear.

This has to be true, as the last requirement is to call. “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That’s found in Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13.

Everything that is negative about this world came about through a fallen archangel; Lucifer, Satan, the devil. Every bit of the negativity of this world will go with him into the Lake of Fire forever, along with all the lost souls and the demons (fallen angels). All who reject Jesus will have done so of their own free will, and they will have chosen to be separated from Him forever.

While the concept is difficult for me to understand, My Jesus knew more would reject Him than accept the free gift of eternal salvation (Matthew 7:13-14).

The increase of evil and all the issues our Savior spoke of that will be here at the end of this age are here right now, occurring at the same time. It’s only a matter of hearing the Trumpet of God and the shout from the archangel, and all the believers worldwide will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air. That could take place any minute now.

To be assured you will be on that Heavenly Flight, please take a moment right now and call on Jesus to save you. It’s totally your choice, and He will turn no one away. You have not sinned so badly that He will not forgive you. Right now, the unforgivable sin is to not have Jesus as your Savior when you take your last breath on this earth. There will be one more unforgivable sin that will take place during the Tribulation. All who take the mark of the beast will be thrown into hell with him, the false prophet, and Satan.

He’s waiting for your call, and I hope He will “Build You a Cabin” near mine. Just imagine the eternal fellowship all will have at Home!

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus)

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