They Said It: In Support Of Premillennialism

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Here are four famous quotes that express or support Premillennialism (the belief that Christ will return before a literal 1,000-year reign on earth, as described in Revelation 20):

Justin Martyr (100–165 AD) – Early Church Father

“But I and every other completely orthodox Christian feel certain that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.”
— Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 80

Irenaeus of Lyons (130–202 AD) – Early Church Father

“For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. And for this reason the Scripture says: ‘Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God brought to a conclusion upon the sixth day the works that He had made; and God rested upon the seventh day from all His works.’ This is a history of the things formerly created, and a prophecy of what is to come. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the six thousandth year.”
— Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 28

George Eldon Ladd (1911–1982) – Evangelical Theologian

“Premillennialism is based on the exegesis of Revelation 20:1–6, which, if interpreted literally, teaches that Christ will come again before the millennium and will reign on earth with His saints for a thousand years.”
— The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views

John F. Walvoord (1910–2002) – Dispensational Premillennialist

“The premillennial interpretation is the only view that does justice to the plain statements of Scripture. When taken in their ordinary meaning, the promises of the Old Testament to Israel and the prophecies of the kingdom of God find their fulfillment only in a future literal reign of Christ on earth.”
— The Millennial Kingdom

Watchdog Alert: Israeli-Hamas Conflict

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Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Here is Jesus, in Matthew 24:6-7, teaching his disciples about the end times. But also encouraging them to ‘see that ye be not troubled’.

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (KJV)

Recent news from the Middle East:

“Israel kills 62 today as Gaza aid seekers, ‘safe zones’ attacked” – Al Jazeera

  • Summary: Israeli forces targeted a residential building in Gaza City—housing dozens of displaced Palestinian families—after issuing forced evacuation orders. At least 37 of the 62 fatalities occurred in Gaza City as the assault continued into the early hours.
    Al Jazeera

“Israel expands operations in Gaza City; tells famine-stricken residents to move to safe zone” – CBS News / AP

  • Summary: As operations intensify in Gaza City, Israel urged starving residents to relocate to a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza—Muwasi—equipped with field hospitals, water, food, and tents. Aid groups warned that mass evacuation would only deepen the humanitarian crisis.
    CBS News

“Escalating Israeli offensive in Gaza City will have catastrophic and irreversible consequences for Palestinians” – Amnesty International

  • Summary: Amnesty condemned Israel’s full-scale assault on Gaza City, warning it will devastate civilian life and exacerbate a famine largely caused by Israel’s blockade. Displacing hundreds of thousands, Amnesty called the campaign a likely war crime under international law.
    Amnesty International

“More than 7,000 under-fives in Gaza put in malnutrition recovery in two-week period” – The Guardian / UNICEF data

  • Summary: Over 7,000 children under five were admitted to UNICEF malnutrition recovery programs in just two weeks in August; projected numbers for the month may exceed 15,000—more than seven times higher than February figures. A famine has been declared in Gaza City and is spreading south. Families survive on minimal food, and overcrowded designated zones lack basic services.
    The Guardian

They Said It: Alva McClain On The Kingdom Of Heaven

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I’m finishing reading and studying The Greatness of the Kingdom by Alva McClain. Highly recommended as a master class on what Yeshua meant when he repeatedly said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

It’s not possible to understand the ministry of Yeshua, the plan of God, the role of Israel, or the overall theme of God’s Word and plan for His creation if you don’t understand what the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” means.

Here are some quotes from McClain on the topic:

The Universal Kingdom

“In the universal and providential sense, the kingdom of God has already come and the will of God is being done on earth. This rule of God, in fact, has always existed and has never been abrogated or interrupted. … On the basis of blood-redemption it will put down at last all rebellion with all its evil results, thus finally bringing the kingdom and will of God on earth as it is in heaven. When this purpose has been accomplished, the mediatorial phase of the kingdom will finally disappear as a separate entity, being merged with the universal kingdom of God.” From LifeCoach4God

Biblical Continuity with Prophecy

“In announcing the approaching advent of ‘the kingdom of heaven,’ Jesus had in view the very kingdom which the prophets had foretold.”
From LifeCoach4God

Present and Spiritual Expression

“Thus, as Christian believers, we actually enter the kingdom prior to its establishment on earth, something so remarkable that it is spoken of as a translation (Col 1:13).”
From LifeCoach4God

Restoration to Israel

“Therefore, until Israel is where he ought to be, both religiously and politically, there can be no thorough and permanent solution of the international problems.”
From Goodreads

Rethinking The Rapture: Historical Origins Of Rapture Theology

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Just a reminder – John Nelson Darby was not an author of scripture, and Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth (1970) and Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series are not books of scripture.

The doctrine of the Rapture—the belief that Christians will be suddenly “caught up” to meet Christ in the air before a time of tribulation on earth—has a complex history. Its origins are more recent than many assume. Here’s the breakdown:

Biblical Roots (1st Century)

  • The idea comes mainly from 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, where Paul says believers will be “caught up” (harpazō in Greek, later translated in Latin as rapiemur, “we shall be snatched up”).
  • Early Christians saw this as part of the Second Coming of Christ, not as a separate secret event. The expectation was one climactic return of Christ, not two stages.

Early Church & Medieval Period

  • Church Fathers like Irenaeus, Augustine, and Chrysostom interpreted these passages within the framework of a general resurrection and final judgment, not a pre-tribulation rapture.
  • The dominant view for centuries (Catholic, Orthodox, and later Protestant Reformers) was amillennial (symbolic millennium) or postmillennial (Christ returns after a golden age), with no idea of a sudden, secret removal of believers.

Rise of Premillennialism (17th–18th Century)

  • In the wake of wars, plagues, and upheavals, some Protestant groups revisited literal interpretations of Revelation and Daniel.
  • Joseph Mede (1627) was influential in reviving premillennialism in England, but still didn’t propose a two-phase coming.
  • Some fringe sects speculated about believers escaping tribulation, but it wasn’t mainstream.

John Nelson Darby & Dispensationalism (1830s)

  • The modern Rapture doctrine, especially the pre-tribulation Rapture, is most closely tied to John Nelson Darby (1800–1882), leader of the Plymouth Brethren movement in Britain.
  • Darby developed dispensationalism, which divided biblical history into ages (dispensations). He taught that the church would be secretly taken before the Great Tribulation, leaving Israel and the world to face judgment.
  • His views spread widely in Britain and North America.

Popularization in America (Late 19th–20th Century)

  • The Scofield Reference Bible (1909) systematized Darby’s dispensational teaching, embedding the Rapture into evangelical theology in the U.S.
  • Bible conferences, prophecy seminars, and later mass media (books, radio, film) spread the idea.
  • The Cold War era (1940s–80s) fueled Rapture expectations amid fears of nuclear war and global unrest.

Modern Influence

  • Best-selling books like Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth (1970) and Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series (1995–2007) brought the Rapture into popular culture.
  • Today, it remains central in many evangelical and Pentecostal traditions, though Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Reformed traditions largely reject it as unbiblical or a modern innovation.

In summary:
The concept of believers being “caught up” comes from Paul’s letters, but the specific doctrine of a pre-tribulation Rapture as a distinct, secret coming of Christ originates with John Nelson Darby in the 1830s. It spread through dispensationalism, the Scofield Bible, and American evangelical culture.

Rethinking The Rapture: Introduction

Rethinking The Rapture: Questions

Rethinking The Rapture: More Questions

Rethinking The Rapture: N.T. Wright’s ‘Farewell to the Rapture’

Rethinking The Rapture: What 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Doesn’t Say

Rethinking The Rapture: Millions Of Christians Were Not Delivered From Wrath

Rethinking The Rapture: What Does ‘Delivered From Wrath’ Mean?

Rethinking The Rapture: What Does ‘Delivered From Wrath’ Mean? Part 2

Rethinking The Rapture: In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Rethinking The Rapture: Matthew 24:40-42

Rethinking The Rapture: N.T. Wright’s ‘Farewell to the Rapture’ Redux

Rethinking The Rapture: Send In The Clouds?

Rethinking The Rapture: Another Look At N.T. Wright

Watchdog Alert: News About Islam

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.

Mob Burns Nigerian Woman to Death Over Blasphemy Claim

In central Nigeria, a mob burned a food vendor named Amaye to death after accusing her of making comments deemed blasphemous toward the Prophet Muhammad. The incident occurred over the weekend and was confirmed by police in Niger State.
From Arab News

Palestinian Journalist Islam Abed Killed by Israeli Forces

Islam Abed, a reporter working for Al-Quds Today TV, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Sunday. His death adds to the growing number of media workers who have lost their lives covering the conflict.
From The New Arab

LGBTIQ+ Muslims Find Safe Spaces in Indonesia

In Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Pondok Pesantren Waria Al-Fatah, an Islamic boarding school serving LGBTIQ+ Muslims, opened a new location. It provides a rare, affirming religious environment that embraces both Islamic faith and diverse gender identities.
From ABC

Moroccan Feminist on Trial Denied Release Amid Health Crisis

Moroccan feminist and LGBTQ+ activist Ibtissam Lachgar, facing blasphemy charges for wearing a T-shirt with messages seen as insulting to Islam and the monarchy, was denied provisional release despite her serious health condition—she has cancer and needs urgent surgery. Her detention is drawing criticism from human rights advocates.
From AP News

The Bible Rebel Creed And Mission

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Anyone who knows even a little bit about the Bible and the history of Christianity knows that it was the religious leaders of the time, along with their secular allies, that were responsible for the killing of the prophets, the reformers, and even the Son of God himself, Yeshua our Messiah.

The religious leaders. The wolves in sheep’s clothing. The whited sepulchers. The vipers. The religious leaders.

There is no new thing under the sun. Fallen human nature and the rot of man-made religion hasn’t changed since they murdered the prophets, burned the ‘heretics’, and tortured and crucified our Lord.

That is part of the reason why I do not subscribe to a modern denominational creed of set of doctrines. I don’t think that modern day Evangelicals, or Baptists, or Lutherans, or Catholics are going to burn anyone in the town square – it’s just that I don’t trust organized religion.

I’m non-denominational. I’m a ‘Non’. And there are a lot of others just like me, in fact more and more folks are fleeing traditional ‘churchianity’ every day. Why? More on that in future posts.

Here’s my one and only creed, which I’m happy share with my brothers and sisters in The Fellowship of the Nons:

Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons

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.

A huge part of the purpose and reason for the Bible Rebel blog is stated in our mission:

“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’.”

Supplication In The Spirit: Part 3

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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 the second part in a new series on prayer called ‘Supplication In The Spirit’ by Steve Sann.

Supplication in the Spirit: Part 1

Supplication In The Spirit: Part 2

Developing Our Supplication Skills

So, we are to use our minds while we speak in tongues to generally direct and enhance our prayer faith. Furthermore, Philippians 4 lays out for us a veritable supplication success formula, detailing the mindset and attitude in which to effectively offer supplication: Philippians 4:6,7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Already in Ephesians 6 we were instructed to offer these supplications in the spirit. But, here we are exhorted specifically regarding our mindset when we pray. First, we select the specific requests that we desire to make known to God. Here we are told we should be offering these petitions for “everything.” Indeed, whatever is triggering within you feelings of anxiety, wouldn’t those matters be encompassed by this term “everything”? God wishes you to bring Him those very petitions, leaving nothing to be anxious about.

Now that is a mindset that would serve all of us well to master. At the very moment an anxiety steals its way into your heart or mind, stop and speak in tongues, lifting that specific supplication to God. Should it return, we repeat as necessary, until our hearts are guarded by peace.

Secondly, we are to pray “with thanksgiving” to God for promising to take care of our requests. Believing with expectation our needs will be fulfilled, we can already at this time offer thanksgiving—as though we had already received His answer in the senses realm.

Thirdly, we are to make our requests “known unto God.” God already knows our requests. Rather, here we declare our petitions as one would before a court of justice. We claim them, as one would his legal rights. Although God knows our every supplication ahead of time, He now requests for us to claim those petitions before Him as rightfully ours.

And then, finally, with this prayer attitude firmly in place, “the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds” from the anxieties and worries that defeat. This peace of God surpasses all understanding, in that it is built upon the foundation of confidence in the principles of the Word, not of the senses reasoning. Hence, although it is supremely logical to trust in God, it surpasses the understanding of the natural man. It subsists by the third fruit of the spirit, “peace,” Galatians 5:22.

So, although speaking in tongues bypasses the understanding, God allows us to lift our specific needs to Him by the spirit when we focus our minds on the subject of our supplication. Speaking in tongues for that specific need gives us confidence that He has heard perfectly all that He needs to act on your behalf.

As we picture the specific needs of ourselves and others being met by God, while praying in the spirit, we are both praying in the spirit and in our understanding simultaneously. And, we are concurrently believing to bring it to pass. No more powerful form of prayer can be made. It follows then that, as a result, the peace of God protects the hearts of those who pray with supplication in the spirit.

Watchdog Alert: The Catholic Church

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Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.

Catholic Diocese of Syracuse Bankruptcy Exit Plan Accepted

A bankruptcy court has approved the Diocese of Syracuse’s exit plan, which includes a comprehensive settlement sending $176 million to survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
From WSTM

Pope Leo XIV Condemns Forced Evacuation in Gaza

Pope Leo XIV strongly criticized Israeli plans for forcibly evacuating Gaza City, calling it a violation of international law. He urged for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and emphasized the duty of clergy to remain with the vulnerable, condemning the evacuation as a form of “collective punishment.”
From The Times

Catholic Men Answer Call to Protect Parishes

An apostolate inspired by traditional Church practices is now training Catholic men to enhance parish security. This initiative is a modern response to growing safety concerns, aiming to prepare volunteers to act as guardians of their local communities.
From National Catholic Register

Tragic Mass Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School

A horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis left two children dead and around 17 injured during a school Mass. Authorities are investigating the event as a potential hate crime and act of domestic terrorism. The community mourns, with leaders calling for stronger protections for places of worship.
From AP News

They Said It: Four Famous Quotes On Spiritual Warfare

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When a horrific, inexplicable act of intentional evil is carried out by someone, should we always blame it on ‘mental illness’? I think we need to examine the reality more closely in many cases and acknowledge that we are engaged in a battle with spiritual wickedness in high places.

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)

Here are four famous quotes on the subject.

C.S. Lewis (The Screwtape Letters, 1942):
“There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”

    John Piper (Desiring God):
    “Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth.”

      Charles Spurgeon (sermon on The Christian Soldier):
      “Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation.”

        A.W. Tozer (This World: Playground or Battleground?):
        “People think of the world not as a battleground, but as a playground. We are not here to fight; we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land; we are at home. We are not getting ready to live; we are already living. And the idea that this world is a battleground has now been rejected by the great majority of Christians.”