9 Reasons Why Revelation 3:10 Does NOT Support the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory

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Revelation3_10

Many Christians believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory, when it comes to Eschatology, their beliefs about the end times.  One Scripture that is consistently used to support this view is Revelation 3:10.  I have been teaching through Revelation for a little while now and I don’t believe that Revelation 3:10 supports the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory, at all.  Here are 9 reason why I believe this (point #8 may be the most important point):

1) This verse is wrote specifically and directly to the Church at Philadelphia, not the Church as a whole.

It would only apply conditionally to the Church as a whole, not directly, unconditionally or universally.  The Pre-Trib Rapture people don’t apply the rest of what is written to this Church universally, unconditionally or directly, so why this portion?

 

2) There is no mention of the Church of the end times in this passage, just the Church at Philadelphia.

People who want to apply this verse directly to the “end times” Church can’t give a reason why.  The reason definitely isn’t found in the passage itself.  This is an inconsistency in hermeneutics.

 

3) There is also no mention of “Church ages” in these passages about the seven Churches, let alone about the Church of Philadelphia being representative of the Church right before the rapture.

There is absolutely no reason in the Scriptures to make the different letters to the Churches in Revelation 2-3 into “Church ages”…unless of course you START with Dispensationalism or the Pre-Trib Rapture theory and try to force it upon the Scriptures.  This is called eisegesis.  To properly interpret the Scriptures, we must perform exegesis.  We must find out what the text ACTUALLY says, not try to make it say something that we already believe before we come to the text.

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12 Signs That You May Have Left Your “First Love”

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LeftFirstLove

I have been teaching through Revelation at the Church I am one of the Pastors of – Refining Fire Fellowship http://www.refiningfirefellowship.com   We have now come to the beginning of Revelation Chapter 3.  You can follow along with the teachings at this YouTube video play list:   Revelation Series

In having come this far, I have obviously already taught on Jesus’ letter to the Church at Ephesus.  The title of this blogpost is referring to one verse of Scripture that Jesus spoke to them – Revelation 2:4.  It says, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”  WELL Christian, have you left your first love?

Here are 12 signs I gave during that teaching, that may help to show you that you have left your first love.  Please examine yourself thoroughly, to make sure that this hasn’t happened to you.  Self-delusion is a very dangerous thing.  Let the Lord search your heart and reveal things to you:

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The Consecrated Communication of the Open Air Preacher (& ALL Christians)

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Consecrated Communication

As a Christian and as an open air preacher, I’m constantly trying to memorize and meditate upon more Bible verses/passages.  Besides personal purity (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:9-11, Philippians 4:8), I do this because I want to be able to address the things that I see and hear in the open air, directly with the Scriptures.  One thing that comes up quite often is the filthy speech of the sinner.  Often times, they say a lot of gross sexually explicit things, that reveal the depravity of their hearts and that their minds are probably filled with porn.  Their mouths are constantly pouring out cuss/curse words and taking God’s name in vain, as well.

So, I’ve been attempting to memorize more Scriptures concerning such things.  Some of the passages that I have been working on are Matthew 12:33-37, Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 5:3-4 and Colossians 3:8.  As I studied these passages and went to the Greek to get a deeper understanding of some of the words being used, I saw some things that are definitely applicable to those who preach in the open air.  I want to share what I have found with you.

In recent years, it seems like the standards of speech for some open air preachers has “gone down the drain”…literally.  All manner of things are said by some open air preachers and even if such things aren’t said by most individual open air preachers, many of the ones who aren’t saying such things justify those who are saying them.  Or maybe the ones who don’t say such things just remain silent in correcting those who do, thinking that it’s not that big of a deal.  Telling filthy, sexually explicit stories is supposedly ok for an open air preacher.  Using curse/cuss words is supposedly ok for the open air preacher.  What’s next?  Will taking God’s name in vain be ok, as well?

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10 Reasons Christians Should Homeschool Their Children

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Homeschooling

My wife and I have been homeschooling our children, since our oldest child was 5 years old (about 7 years, at this point).  We think that homeschooling is a necessity for Christian families, not optional.  Below are 10 of the most important reasons (in my eyes) for Christians to homeschool their children.  These aren’t necessarily in any kind of order.

1) The Bible puts a child’s learning at the responsibility of the parents, not someone else (whether private or public schools) – Deuteronomy 6:4-6 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  

Regardless of your “qualifications”, YOU are responsible for the education of your children.  I understand that homeschooling seems intimidating to some people.  It really isn’t that hard!  It is a lot of fun and there are plenty of people, programs, groups and curriculum out there, to help you homeschool your children.  You may have to learn some things all over again, but that’s a good thing!  Besides, if you start early, you will only be teaching them things like ABC’s, 123’s, shapes, colors, etc.

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Bible Verse Memorization – Open Air Preaching Bible Verses

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BibleMemory

Throughout the years, I’ve had dozens of people ask me about Bible memorization in open air preaching.  I’ve been asked questions about how to memorize the Scriptures (techniques) and what Scriptures to memorize. So, I figured I’d write a blog post on it, so that I have something to point people to when I’m asked this question in the future.

There are all sorts of methods people use, to memorize Scripture.  My advice is to take part in as many techniques as possible.  This way, you have a better chance of solidifying the Scriptures in your mind, that you are attempting to memorize.  Here are some principles that I use, when memorizing Scripture:

1) Don’t overdo it – Don’t start out trying to memorize 20 verses a week.  Such an extreme plan like that, typically leads to someone giving up, due to failure  Start small, with maybe one verse/passage every two weeks.  You could always increase how many verses you memorize every 2 weeks, later on.  YET, If you are consistent with that plan (1 verse/passage every two weeks), you will have memorized 26 verses/passages in the first year.  After 10 years of doing this, you’ll have 260 verses/passages memorized!  Think long term, instead of short term. Be consistent and be faithful.  The goal is not to be able to say, “Look at me, I have lots of Bible verses memorized!”  The goal is to retain the verses in your memory, obey the verses and preach the verses.

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Conditional Security Proven From The Bible! Part 1 – Assurance of Salvation by Kerrigan Skelly

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LoseSalvation1

Below is a new video, where I teach on the Biblical Doctrine of Conditional Security.  This is actually the fourth teaching of five, on this topic.  The previous three were devoted to properly interpreting the “proof texts” that people use to “prove” Unconditional Eternal Security, also known as Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS) or Perseverance of the Saints (POTS).

The doctrine of Unconditional Eternal Security is possibly one of the greatest heresies in all of the history of mankind.  It started in the Garden of Eden, when Satan said, “You will not surely die.”  It continues to this day and I consider it to be a doctrine of demons, per 1 Timothy 4:1-2.  It gives people false security and false assurance.

If you want true security, here it is:

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10 Things Consistent Calvinists SHOULD Say (But Usually Don’t) – Refuting Calvinism | Kerrigan Skelly

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Calvinism-TrueGospel

This post is in the same theme as my last “10 Things” post (SEE HERE FOR ON THAT POST), except that this one is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the last one.  Sometimes Calvinists remind me of Mormons.  Now, I know that sounds insulting, but please let me explain.  Mormons, often times, try to “hide” some of their more “hard to believe” doctrines from new converts or people they are trying to convert.  They won’t talk about polygamy, the blood atonement doctrine, that Joseph Smith said that the “rest of Christianity” was apostate, that you could have your own planet someday, that God used to be a human being or that Jesus and Satan are brothers.

I see the same thing happening with Calvinists, a lot of the time.  They rarely ever mention their “hard to believe” doctrines while witnessing to the lost, while preaching in the open air or in their prayers.  They rarely ever talk about Unconditional Election or Unconditional Reprobation, on the streets.  They rarely ever talk about Limited/Definite Atonement, while they are witnessing to someone.  They rarely ever mention Irresistible Grace, while they pray.

Why is that?  Are they ashamed of such doctrines?  Do they not think that such doctrines are important?  Do they really believe in them?  In light of these experiences of mine, I have made a list of 10 things that consistent Calvinists SHOULD say, but usually don’t say.  As with the last list, this list doesn’t include all Calvinists.  There may be some Calvinists who would and do say these things.  I couldn’t possibly include all Calvinists, since I don’t know all Calvinists and haven’t had an experience with all Calvinists.  I am simply going by my extended experience with Calvinists, over the last 8 years or so.

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Why Do People Die (Physically)? – The Doctrine of Original Sin – Kerrigan Skelly

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appointment

One question that seems to come up often, in the discussion on the doctrine of original sin, is “Why do people die?”  Another offshoot of this question is, “If babies aren’t born sinners, then why do they die?”  The implication is that the reason why everyone dies physically, is directly because of their own personal sin.  In the case of the infant, they die because Adam’s sin is also “their sin”, i.e. the “doctrine of original sin”.  In the case of adults, they die because of their own personal sin, that they continue in until the day they die, i.e. the “doctrine of perpetual sinfulness.”

Both of these “answers” to the question of, why people die are wrong.  Both are insufficient answers to the question.  If everyone dies because of their own personal sin (whether they actually committed it or they “committed it” in Adam), then we have a GREAT PROBLEM.  This one problem should be enough to utterly demolish such unbiblical thinking.  Are you ready?

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John Calvin Quotes – The Calvinism of John Calvin – Are Calvinists REALLY “Calvinists”?

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John Calvin Quotes

As I have dealt with Calvinists throughout the years, there has been one objection that has stood out the most.  There is one thing that I hear them say, more than anything else.  They say this on YouTube videos, on Facebook posts, through email correspondence with them, etc.  They are constantly accusing people of misrepresenting Calvinism, of not knowing what Calvinism “REALLY IS” and of engaging in straw man arguments against their doctrines.

You know what I think the problem is?  I think that that most “Calvinists” aren’t REALLY Calvinists.  They don’t even know what “Calvinism” is.  I’ve been studying Calvinism for about 10 years now.  I’ve studied a lot about Calvinism, both from Calvinists and from those against Calvinism.  I’ve watched videos from both sides, listened to sermons from both sides, read books and articles from both sides, etc.  For the most part, those who are against Calvinism have properly represented it.  There have been those who have engaged in straw man arguments, but they have been few and far between, from what I have seen.

I think that many people who call themselves “Calvinists” haven’t studied much about Calvinism.  They probably heard a passionate sermon from Paul Washer (and YES, HE IS a Calvinist), read an article by Charles Spurgeon, read a book by John Piper, listened to a James White debate, watched an R.C. Sproul lecture or read a John MacArthur Commentary.  Then they put their theological “stake in the ground” and say, “I’m a Calvinist”.  Also, some people are just “bandwagon” Calvinists.  They see it as a popular trend in the circles they are in and “jump in”.  I wonder what will happen when it’s no longer a “popular trend”?

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10 Things A Consistent Calvinist Can NEVER Say – Refuting Calvinism | Kerrigan Skelly

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Consistent Calvinism

In the last 8 years or so of dealing with Calvinists and Calvinism, I’ve found that many Calvinists are not very consistent with their theology.  Of course there are some who are consistent with their theology, but they are few and far between.  As I’ve debated with and attempted to reason with Calvinists, I’ve meditated upon things that they would say to me.  There are many things that they really shouldn’t say, if they were consistent were their theology.  Here’s a list of things that I don’t think a Consistent Calvinist should say:

1) “Jesus died for you” – They believe in the doctrine of “Limited/Definite Atonement” (the “L” of T.U.L.I.P.).  This means that they believe that Jesus ONLY died for the “elect” – those that God chose for salvation, before He even began to create the Universe. Calvinists will also say that they don’t know who the elect are.  If they don’t know who the elect are and Jesus only died for the elect, then they couldn’t possibly say this to ANYONE.

2) “God loves you” – Calvinists constantly cite Romans 9:13, in the hopes of proving “Unconditional Election” (the “U” of T.U.L.I.P.) – as I said above, this is the idea that God chose very few people for salvation and that He did this before He even began to create the Universe.  Of course they twist this verse and commit eisegesis, since they are looking at Romans 9 through their “Calvinist eye glasses”.  Yet, if the “U” of T.U.L.I.P. is correct and their interpretation of Romans 9:13 is correct, then there’s no possible way that they could say this to ANYONE.

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