Deeper Bible & Theology

Rethinking The Rapture: Introduction

Rick Tryon8 Comments

There are three major views on the so-called ‘Rapture’ and its biblical legitimacy; pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, and non-rapture.

Bible Rebel will be spending some time rethinking the traditional, evangelical Rapture doctrine and weighing it against the other views.

The first installment in this series is the following summary and introduction to the Rapture doctrine and it’s variations and alternatives.

1. Pre-Tribulation Rapture (Dispensational View)

Summary:
This view holds that the Rapture will occur before a seven-year period of tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6–19), removing true believers from the earth to be with Christ. It is most commonly associated with Dispensational Premillennialism.

Key Verses Used:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 — “…the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive… will be caught up together with them…”
  • John 14:2–3 — “I will come back and take you to be with me…”
  • Revelation 3:10 — “I will keep you from the hour of trial…”

Arguments For:

  • Emphasizes a literal interpretation of prophecy.
  • Sees a clear distinction between Israel and the Church.
  • Argues that believers are promised deliverance from God’s wrath.

Notable Proponents:

  • John Walvoord
  • Tim LaHaye (co-author of Left Behind)
  • Dallas Theological Seminary

Sources:

  • John F. Walvoord, The Rapture Question
  • Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, Left Behind series (fictional but influential)

2. Post-Tribulation Rapture

Summary:
This view asserts that the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ are a single event that occurs after the tribulation. Believers will endure the tribulation and be raptured when Christ returns to establish His kingdom.

Key Verses Used:

  • Matthew 24:29–31 — “Immediately after the distress… he will send his angels… and they will gather his elect…”
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 — The day of the Lord will not come until the “man of lawlessness” is revealed.
  • Revelation 20:4–6 — Martyrs from the tribulation are raised to reign with Christ.

Arguments For:

  • Emphasizes the unity of Christ’s return and the Rapture.
  • Sees no Scriptural evidence of a secret or separate coming.
  • Suggests that the Church has always faced tribulation and will continue to do so.

Notable Proponents:

  • George E. Ladd
  • Craig S. Keener
  • Historic Premillennialists

Sources:

  • George Eldon Ladd, The Blessed Hope
  • Craig Keener, Revelation (NIVAC Commentary)

3. Amillennial/Non-Rapture View

Summary:
This view does not see the Rapture as a separate event at all. Instead, it interprets related texts symbolically or metaphorically. Christ’s Second Coming will be a single, visible event at the end of history, followed by the final judgment.

Key Verses Used:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 — Interpreted as a metaphor for a royal welcome of Christ by His people.
  • 2 Peter 3:10 — Emphasizes a sudden final judgment, not two stages of return.
  • John 6:39–40 — Resurrection occurs “on the last day,” not before.

Arguments For:

  • Sees “rapture” texts as apocalyptic language, not literal.
  • Rejects a secret or pre-tribulational event.
  • Claims that church history lacks early support for the pre-tribulational Rapture.

Notable Proponents:

  • Augustine (early influence)
  • R.C. Sproul (Partial Preterism/Amillennialism)
  • Kim Riddlebarger

Sources:

  • R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus
  • Kim Riddlebarger, A Case for Amillennialism

Satanism And Witchcraft In America

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Satan has been defeated. The resurrected, ascended, and returning Son of God is victorious.

But while we await the final execution of the serpent, he runs loose for a time, all pissed off, still doing his best to steal, kill, and destroy those created in the image of the Most High God.

Satan knows he’s toast, but he will continue to deceive and seduce people into bending the knee to him. Some of those people are foolishly ignorant and think it’s a game, but some know exactly what they’re doing and, like their master, they hate God.

A quick AI request for news and stats on Satanism and witchcraft in America returned the following results:

  • Witchcraft and Paganism Growth: The number of Americans identifying as witches has risen dramatically. Estimates suggest 1 to 1.5 million people practice Wicca or paganism, surpassing the 1.4 million members of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. From Newsweek
  • Global Witchcraft Beliefs: A massive study found that 40% of people worldwide believe in witchcraft, translating to about 1 billion people across 95 countries. From Science Alert
  • Decline in Christianity: Younger generations are increasingly turning to alternative spiritual practices, including astrology, tarot, and Wicca, as they move away from traditional Christianity. From Newsweek
  • Rise of Witchcraft Among Millennials: Millennials are embracing witchcraft and occult practices as a form of spiritual freedom. Social media has played a significant role in popularizing these beliefs. From Newsweek
  • Academic Studies on Witchcraft: Research from American University highlights that witchcraft beliefs cut across socio-demographic groups, with education and economic security influencing belief levels. From Science Alert
  • Cultural Shifts: The “witch aesthetic” has gained popularity, with celebrities and activists embracing elements of witchcraft in their personal and public lives. From Newsweek

Death Row Letters: The Hiddenness of God 2

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Greetings,

In my previous letter I asked the question a lot folks have: If God is real why doesn’t He just do a bunch of magic tricks for everyone all the time so that they will see Him, believe in Him, and love Him?

Well, lets take a bit of a deep dive into the answer.

Maybe God seems ‘hidden’ to our five senses so that folks can choose faith freely, rather than being forced by undeniable proof.

God isn’t some old dude up in the clouds or some alien in outer space – God is spirit, imperceptible to our limited senses.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

God wants a genuine, personal relationship with us, and He wants us to know him as He is. That requires some effort on our part, as in any human relationship. God doesn’t seek robots or slaves who have no choice but to obey and believe in Him.

God’s hiddenness requires us to seek deeper understanding, to doubt, to wrestle with Him, and to develop faith and patience. It requires us to work on our own character.

But make no mistake, God reveals Himself everywhere and at every moment through the complexity, precise workings, and order of His creation.

Until next time,
Your fellow death row occupant.

A New Reformation?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Churchianity and the theological status quo should be scrutinized by all people of faith regularly. That is exactly how we got the Reformation.

Is there a New Reformation brewing? It seems so. There is a difference between truth and tradition.

Man-made Christian creeds and doctrines are no longer being blindly accepted as biblical truth just because the Protestant clergy or the Catholic Papacy say so.

The nature of God, heaven, hell, sin, the apocalypse, predestination or free-will, the Rapture, the origins of the universe – all of these ideas and more need solid reexamination to see if the commonly accepted doctrines of men used to explain them measure up to the message of scripture.

The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.

Our Mission

  1. To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
  2. To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
  3. To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
  4. To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.

At Bible Rebel, this is our one and only creed:
Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

So, expect some controversial viewpoints and uncomfortable ideas in some of the coming content from Bible Rebel.

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Watchdog Alert: Middle East Updates

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Picture via Lara Jameson pexels.com

Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on events in the Middle East. That is not to say that we are watching for any fulfillment of biblical prophecy there, we keep our eyes and ears open to news that affects people of faith from every region around the world.

The Holy Land is of particular interest for three reasons:

  • It is a geographical crossroads, referred to by some the “Center of the Earth”.
  • It is also the historical birthplace of the two largest religions of the world; Christianity and Islam, as well as the ‘Father’ of both those religions – Judaism.
  • It is of major military and strategic importance because of oil production and logistics.

Are the biblical prophecies focusing on geographical locations in the Middle East, especially in and around current-day Israel, relevant to the Church in our times today?

Or will those prophecies only come to pass and be revealed in some future time after the destiny of the Church has been realized? This is a subject Bible Rebel will be exploring in some depth going forward. Stay tuned.

For now, here’s the latest from the Middle East.

Israel Strikes Near Syrian Presidential Palace

Israel conducted an airstrike near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus, targeting the new Islamist-led government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The strike aimed to signal Israel’s commitment to defending the Druze minority amid escalating sectarian violence in Syria.
From Reuters

US attacks Yemen port again; Houthis launch missiles at Israel

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV media outlet has reported that seven US strikes hit the Ras Isa oil port in al-Salif district in Hodeidah in the last few hours, where a US strike at the same port last month killed at least 80 people and wounded 150 in one of the deadliest attacks on the country by US forces.

Earlier Friday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching two missiles towards northern Israel, targeting the Ramat David military airbase and the Tel Aviv area, as the group continues its military pressure in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli fire.
From Al Jazeera

U.S.-Iran Talks Postponed

A fourth round of talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled to take place in Rome, has been postponed. An Iranian official stated that the new date depends on the U.S. approach, citing contradictory behavior and provocative statements from Washington.
From Reuters

Netanyahu calls defeating Israel’s enemies the ‘supreme objective,’ not freeing hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that defeating Israel’s enemies is more important than securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

While the prime minister acknowledged that freeing the 59 remaining hostages is a “very important goal,” he described Israel’s fight against its enemies as the “supreme objective” of the war.

“We have many objectives, many goals in this war. We want to bring back all of our hostages,” Netanyahu said. “That is a very important goal. In war, there is a supreme objective. And that supreme objective is victory over our enemies. And that is what we will achieve.”
From CNN

Paul Prayed ‘Without Ceasing’ – Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 3 in a new series on prayer called ‘Paul Prayed Without Ceasing’ by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 Here
Read Part 2 Here

The Benefits: Let’s highlight a few of the many benefits richly awarded to you each and every time you utter His words by the spirit. Please turn to these scriptures and study them on your own: a wealth of confidence and appreciation of speaking in tongues will begin to mature in you.

a. We pray bypassing our earthly understanding. Praying by the spirit in another language, we are able to pray for needs beyond our understanding and perception (I Corinthians 14:14-17);
While praying beyond your understanding, the spirit addresses your personal needs—for example, in your family, finances, spirit, soul, and body.

b. We intercede for others according to God’s will. The spirit searches the hearts and lives of others, making requests for needs of which we, in our limited perception, are unaware. (Rom. 8:26,27);
This makes us global prayer warriors. Interceding for others, the spirit identifies and prays for the needs of your loved ones and worldwide for all the saints.

c. God speaks to our spirit unfolding His mysteries, guidance and truths, spiritually renewing, strengthening and edifying you (II Corinthians 5: I Corinthians 14:2,4; Jude 20; Ephesians 3:14-19; John 14:25; 16:13);
When we speak to God in the spirit, He speaks back. He not only reveals spiritual truths, but opens your eyes to wisdom and insight in all aspects of your life, and of others, as well. In addition, He builds up your spirit, preparing and strengthening you in the operation of the other manifestations.

d. We praise and bless God by giving thanks well, speaking the wonderful works of God (I Corinthians 14:16,17; Acts 2:11);
When we “bless with the spirit” we are energizing the Christ within us to bring forth perfect praise to God. If translated, we would hear a litany of the great things God is doing, His nature, and His love for his people. So, by the spirit we “give thanks well”, we are “speaking the wonderful works of God.”

e. We offer the “true worship” the Father seeks. We “worship God in the spirit” (Phil. 3:3). Jesus Christ foretold: “…the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24);
Man has always sought various methods of worshipping God, most of which God is spirit and cannot be truly worshipped in the flesh. Rather, by worshipping in the spirit, scripture assures us we are pleasing Him, as we, with confidence, properly “worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

f. It engenders intimacy with the Father, sharing our heart’s secrets with Him (Rom. 8:15; Gal 4:6; Rom. 8:27; I Corinthians 14:2);
On the surface, it is difficult to become acquainted with the heart of a man. But the inner desires and secrets of our hearts the spirit shares with the Father. We speak with each other tenderly like a child with His Father.

g. The spirit continually reaffirms to us that we are the sons of God. (Rom. 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13,14);
Speaking in tongues is the absolute proof in the senses realm to you that you have received eternal life, are born-again, and have received the spirit. It confirms to you that the promises of the Word are true.

As with all of God’s promises, these many benefits come to those who expect and believe. By holding these benefits in our hearts, we can acknowledge them as we pray in the spirit. We do not need to understand the specifics of prayer by the spirit to claim and believe to bring it to pass. Build up your faith in these benefits.

Paul Prayed ‘Without Ceasing’ – Part 2

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 2 in a new series on prayer called ‘Paul Prayed Without Ceasing’ by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 Here

And, here we once again find another absolute: “without ceasing.” We can’t pray more consistently than “without ceasing,” now can we? This figure emphasizes that we are to have extreme loyalty and committed reliability to prayer. “Praying without ceasing” and “praying always” are traits not commonly found in the weak of will. But, it is a skill set each one of us can develop. God’s expectation is that each of us will do our best to SIT much. We can all—and should all—make every effort to live up to His will on this matter. 

The same commitment to prayer which God requested of His Church, Paul personally demonstrated, serving the example for the Church: 

Romans 1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. 

Here, Paul writes that he himself prays “without ceasing.” And he specifically describes how: by serving God in my spirit. How can I serve God “with my spirit”? The context determines if the phrase “my spirit” refers to the human soul life as in I Corinthians 16:18 and II Corinthians 2:13, or the gift of the holy spirit as in I Corinthians 14:14 and 5:4. The topic of this verse reveals it: it is by prayer. Certainly, serving God with the spirit would include prayer in the spirit for the saints, as well as the other manifestations. 

At this same time, Paul makes an extraordinary pledge here: he swears before God that his words are true, and that he is committed to praying without ceasing for his people. Throughout scripture, on only five occasions did Paul call upon God as his witness of the authenticity of his words. This vow had significance. We hear no hollow, religious platitudes from him as often heard today, like, “I’ll pray for you, brother.” Paul didn’t just promise to pray; he made a pledge before God and the church that he was faithful in prayer. He became the example. 

Paul was challenging the church, setting the bar high for the believers of that day. Repeatedly, they were exhorted to SIT much. Why? Because he was persuaded that a wealth of spiritual benefits was bestowed upon each individual believer who frequently exercised this spiritual power. What, then, are these riches which continue to inspire believers even today to speak in tongues much? 

Paul Prayed ‘Without Ceasing’ – Part 1

Steve Sann2 Comments

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 1 in a new series on prayer called ‘Paul Prayed Without Ceasing’ by Steve Sann.

Why pray “in the spirit” at every opportunity? Because, speaking in tongues (or “S.I.T.”, as it has often been abbreviated casually) is the optimal tool to use when praying for extended periods of time.

How is that? With the words originating from the spirit, the mind is freed up for other concerns; the decision-making process is bypassed, leaving the mind relatively free for everyday matters. When we SIT, hours can be invested in prayer, even while carrying on our other daily routines. As a result, this enables us to pray continually for people and situations all over the world. And this watchful, constant prayer is critical to assist God in carrying out His purposes. 

Or, as I Thessalonians 5 phrases it, we are to…pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
– I Thessalonians 5:17,18. The phrase “in or with the spirit”, in the context of speaking to God, is used interchangeably for tongues, defining it as tongues. For example, I Corinthians 14:14, 15 reads: 

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” Correspondingly, throughout the New Testament, any form of communication from us directed to God described as being in, with, or by the spirit is referring specifically to tongues, as can be viewed in the following references: 

Praying: Jude 20, Ephesians 6:18, I Corinthians 14:14 Speaking: I Corinthians 12:3
Singing: I Corinthians 14:15
Praising (“blessing”): I Corinthians 14:16 Worshipping: Philippians 3:3, John 4:23, 24 and Crying: Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6

As Christians, it would seem we are forever in search of “God’s will” for our lives, aren’t we? Well, finally, here it is, God’s will is clearly stated! And it could not be spelled out more plainly: “…pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Not as glamorous as being called a great apostle to the nations, one might assess, but it is God’s will for each one of us, nonetheless— right? 

Watchdog Alert: Persecution And Slaughter Of Christians in Nigeria

Rick TryonLeave a comment

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)

The roaring lion is loose in Nigeria.

The situation in Nigeria remains deeply troubling. Recent reports highlight ongoing violence against Christians, particularly in Plateau State. On Palm Sunday, suspected Islamist Fulani militias attacked Christian villages, killing at least 51 people.

“The coordinated assault targeted two predominantly Christian villages, with the worst carnage reported in Zikke village, Bassa County. Witnesses described a night of horror as gunmen stormed homes, setting them ablaze and killing entire families — including women, children, and the elderly — in what local leaders are calling a deliberate act of religious persecution.”
From The Herald

The Continuing Violence, No End In Sight

This follows a series of brutal incidents, including the slaughter of over 60 Christians and the destruction of 383 homes earlier this month.

It’s going to be a wretched and fearful Easter for Christians in Nigeria. 
The killing and persecution of Christians by Islamist militants intent on creating a Muslim caliphate in this West African country is continuing apparently unchecked despite the population being 46% Christian.
“Nigeria’s Christians are being wiped out; we need to call it what it is — genocide,” Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), a persecution watchdog, told Fox News Digital.
“Let’s start with the horrible attacks on April 2-3, 2025, in (Nigeria’s) Plateau State’s Bokkos County. Over 60 Christians (were) slaughtered, and 383 homes torched” King said. “Families were burned alive, and kids were left homeless. It’s gut-wrenching. The worst thing is that there’s nothing truly “special” about this attack. This has gone on for 20 years and has only expanded.”
From Fox News

A Dark And Broken World

Why does God allow this kind of butchery to happen? Part of the answer is in 1 Peter 5:8, referenced at the beginning of this post. He expects us to be “sober and vigilant”.

We should always be aware that the roaring lion is seeking to devour us, so that we can be prepared, and so that we can cover ourselves and our brothers and sisters in prayer and intercession – and so that we can walk in wisdom and strength to avoid the lion, or destroy him and his attempts to devour us.

For a closer look at why God allows evil read our series in Death Row Letters.

Death Row Letters: Theodicy And Human Evil

Rick Tryon1 Comment

Greetings, death row occupiers.

Augustine believed that human evil stems from human free will and the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, while natural evil, which we discussed in our previous letter, is a consequence of our fallen nature and moral failure.

So, murder, rape, genocide, assault, and war are all examples of Human Evil – people choosing to inflict death and suffering on others.

God doesn’t force anyone to behave morally anymore than he forces anyone to believe on Jesus Christ as savior. We each have unconditional free-will and we all live with the benefits, and consequences, of that remarkable freedom.

You can’t blame God for the evil free-will choices of people. But you can ask, “Why does God permit the innocent (sometimes) to suffer?”

Well, here’s the uncomfortable truth: God can and does shield from harm those who seek His divine protection as they ask in faith – everyone else is on their own, and if they live outside God’s hedge of protection, it’s because they choose to be on their own.

Now listen, there are times and circumstances when people of faith will voluntarily confront human evil knowing that they may be harmed or even killed. Their reasons for doing that are between God and them.

There are also times when people of faith wander outside the castle and the King’s protection, so to speak, through disobedience, willful ignorance, or plain old rebellion. Bad things can happen when that occurs.

And finally, there are times when the bad things that bad people do to good people are simply inexplicable – only God knows the whys and wherefores.
1 Corinthians 13:12 – For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)

This is a good time to repeat what I’ve said before in these letters:

So, while suffering and pain is hard to understand and bear while going through it, no matter how awful or how long one has to endure it, it is infinitesimally brief compared to what God has in store for those that love Him.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…

Once again, I hope our correspondence has provided some answers, or at least some food for thought, as we sit out our time together here on death row.

Until next time, friends,

Your faithful pen pal.