(May 30, 2024) Dr Robert McQuillan shares …

Dear Dr Robert
There’s mountains of ‘passionate and well researched material’ supporting Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, and Post-Trib positions! I used to be of the ‘Pre-Trib’ persuasion on the rapture of the church but I see some NT scriptures being desecrated and, as I’ve done more study in the OT, I’m not so sure now.

I’ve decided that I won’t hold a ‘fixed position’ on this issue, just ‘occupy and serve’ until whatever time the Lord decides to collect me. That’s now my personal theological position! What do you think? Kelvin.

Hi Kelvin

You’ve got it! Congratulations on deciding to ‘occupy and serve.’ That’s an attitude that all Christians should have: open to doing whatever the Lord requires – whether a ministerial position, cleaning the church, or warmly greeting attenders… no matter what age we are (Did you see our Reachout post about an old evangelist who believes to be ministering until he’s 100? (92-year-old-evangelist-to-hold-ukraine-rally).

Paning Out
Now then, regarding those three pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib positions, on the coming rapture. Decades ago when I lectured or preached on end times I would share on the four positions held by many – Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib and Futurist-Trib, I would conclude by saying that I myself was a Pan-Trib, or in short, a Panist.

Usually there’d be a pause and I could image attenders thinking ‘A fifth view? What’s a Panist?’ When someone would ask, I’d casually say, ‘Panist? Well, it’ll all pan out in the end.’

Which it will of course! But, Kelvin, seriously… although I know that God’s plan will eventuate according to His will and pan out in a moment of time, the way things are worldwide these days I’m now a Pre-Trib Panist.

The Sunday TV series on The Great Disappearance by Dr David Jeremiah is very timely, biblically-well constructed from both Testaments and very enlightening. I’d recommend this to anyone .

Prophecies Occurring
Things prophesied about end times are happening around the world…

• Apathy and ridicule toward Jesus
• Breakdown of marriages
• Coldness toward God and churches
• Deteriorating attitudes between humans (we can add atrocities toward women)
• Earthquakes, floods and food shortages
• Hypocrisy (people claiming to be Christians, but not living by God’s standards)
• Increased crime, especially by teenagers
• More wars
• New sicknesses
• The earth itself being run down.

All what Christians today are calling ‘signs of the times.’

You mentioned that you’re reading the OT… yes, there are rapture examples to be found there. Sort of ‘practice examples’ would you say? And, you’re right about our Lord returning to gather His born-again brethren before the seven years of horrendous tribulation, but no one knows when.

Over the decades there has been many so-called prophecies, even when covid struck, and all have been proved false. Jesus Himself clearly said that no one knows! He warned ‘Watch out! Don’t let anyone fool you!’ (Matthew 24:4CJB). Other versions warn of being deceived. In verse 36 Jesus declared ‘… about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’

Positive Obsession
Yes, you have the right attitude, Kelvin… it’ll all ‘pan out.’ But there’s definitely a darkness around that is encroaching more and more on our Christianity. More than ever before humanity needs a redeemer!

Do keep on occupying and serving as is on your heart until that ‘in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye’ second coming moment (1Corinthians 15:52). Whenever Jesus is returning, may we all take opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Christ!

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Got a question for Dr Robert or Pr Maureen McQuillan? Email: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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