This week I heard a particular ‘mid-Acts’ preacher boast about using "good words." He said ‘rapture’ is a good word. By his demeanor, I think he is closer to ‘rupture’ than ‘rapture’.
2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
The one and only time the phrase "good words" is used in the entire New Testament, was by Paul. He warned of "good words" .... used in fraud:
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple.
God has provided an escape from being gullible:
Psa 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
During my nearly 30 years as a ‘mid-Acts-er’ I would have never applied those scriptures. But I am no longer a deceived ‘mid-Acts-er’ .... so now I enjoy the instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The light of God’s word shines to deliver the naive:
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Jesus’ disciples questioned about His coming and the world’s end .... and He responded for them to be careful and not listen to a deceptive man:
Matt 24:3, 4, 11 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of thy coming,
and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Take heed that no man deceive you.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
In the context of when the Lord will come (2 Thess 1:7-10), Paul gave the same warning .... against believing a man who would mislead them, just as Jesus had given His apostles about the very same issue:
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (when He comes, we will be gathered to Him)
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.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day (what day? the day of Christ - from verse 2) 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.
To build up a false hope by wrong doctrine is not security.
Putting the resurrection in the wrong place will overthrow a person’s faith (2 Tim 2:15-18).
I will not let a man deceive me with "good words" .... like (pre-tribulation) ‘rapture’.
Prov 14:15 The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
I know when I’m going up (1 Thess 4:16-17) ....
just when God (no man) says I am ....
at the last trump (1 Cor 15:51-52; Rev 10:7, 11:15,18).
Call me prudent.
