Churchy Titbits – The Rapture is never mentioned anywhere in the Four Gospels

Rapture not mentioned in the 4 Gospels – Scott Pruitt, one of the most “knowledgeable” anti-Pretribulation gurus on the planet whose blog NOPRETRIB is read far and wide by friend and foe, wrote the following groundbreaking titbit in response to a Pretribulation supporter.

Scott Pruitt November 2, 2017 at 11:27 am

@L. Sebastian You are assuming your premise. In other words, since you already believe in a pretrib rapture which is nowhere mentioned in this context, you are attempting to make the passage agree with your premise. It is worth pointing out that there are no direct references to the rapture as an event in and unto itself anywhere in the 4 gospels. Therefore, you are reading into the text something that is not there. Going back to my original point that escape does not equal escapism. I’m willing to concede that the word escape in this context has a broader meaning than just applying to sin. However, I believe that in context, escape has to do with perseverance through the tribulation so that we are not as the unbelievers at His second coming, facing His indignation.

The Rapture is never mentioned anywhere in the Four Gospels

If there is one thing – no, make it two – I would wish for Scott Pruitt to do, they are:

1. To permanently get rid of his automated deletion finger which is endlessly erasing all my comments on his blog.
2. To get a grip of the grey matter in his brain so that he may read and understand God’s Word properly.

Scotty seems to concede that there are indirect references to the Rapture in the Gospels when he says, “It is worth pointing out that there are no direct references to the rapture as an event in and unto itself anywhere in the Gospels.” Touché, Scotty, there are no direct references to the Rapture in the Gospels. However, one of the most resplendently indirect references to a Rapture is in the Gospel according to John. Jesus Himself is speaking.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:1-4).

Bearing in mind that the Seven-Year Tribulation is specifically called “Jacob’s Trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7 and that the twelve disciples were all Jews (with the possible exception of Luke who is said to have been a Gentile), it was rather strange of Him to console them with the words, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Surely, if they were all destined to experience tribulation as profoundly horrific as the Seven-Year Tribulation, and especially in the light of Gods wrath at that time, He would never have told them not to be troubled. He would have been a liar if He’d misled them in this way.

Scott’s immediate response, I presume, would be that Jesus was not referring to the Seven-Year Tribulation as the reason for the disciples’ concern and bewilderment but the fact that Jesus said He was going away (7:34; 8:21; 12:8, 35; 13:33). Nonetheless, His promise “I will come again” cannot possibly refer to any other scheme of the Rapture – mid, pre-wrath or post – other than the Pretribulation Rapture because it is the only scheme that allows for a divinely ordained escape from God’s wrath which will be poured out throughout the entire scope of the Seven-Year Tribulation and not only during the seven trumpets and seven bowls judgments.

“Escape” does not equal “Escapism,” a.k.a. The Scott Pruitt Dictionary

The words “escape” and escapism” seem to have taken on a bad connotation in the anti-Pretribulation camp. Scotty is one of the leading escape/escapist artists within the ranks of the NOPRETRIB associates. He knows exactly how to con his readers into believing his manipulation of the context. For instance, he would say something like, “I’m willing to concede that the word escape in this context . . . blah, blah, blah . . . However, I believe that in context, . . . blah, blah, blah. OK wise guy, explain the blood on the doorposts in Egypt in the context of persevering in the midst of God’s wrath upon Pharaoh and his people. Or, perhaps you would rather prefer to explain Israel’s protection in the land of Goshen as the means to persevere in the midst of God’s wrath. Who determines the context to fit into his eschatological context shenanigans? Well, of course, it must be our one and only champion escape/escapist artists, SCOTT PRUITT NOPRETRIB GURU.

Scotty’s misinterpretation of the words “escapism” and “escape” is, in essence, a misrepresentation of the Gospel of redemption. Nowhere in the entire Word of God are we told that saints will ever need to face the indignation (righteous anger or wrath) of God unless Paul was inspired by another spirit and not the Holy Spirit when he wrote,

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. (Romans 8:1).

Perhaps Scotty would like to explain how God is going to pour out his indignation upon the saints who do not persevere throughout the tribulation, making them equal to the unbelievers. Are they going to lose their salvation and henceforth be barred from entering Jesus Christ 1000 year Kingdom on earth? The only possible way to be made equal to the unbelievers is to lose your salvation never to regain it again for all eternity.  Calvinists are usually the ones who make such a big spiel about “perseverance” in their infamous and poisonous acronym TULIP. However, they seem to have a far better quality of grey matter under their hats because they do not interpret drunkenness and the cares of the world as the objects of escapism in Luke 21:34.

Scotty’s Prizewinning Titbit

And now, to get back to Scotty’s Churchy Titbit. He wrote:

It is worth pointing out that there are no direct references to the rapture as an event in and unto itself anywhere in the 4 gospels.

This is absolutely true and yet absolutely and truly false. There is a reason why the Rapture is not referenced in any of the Gospel’s, and Scotty should know this.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51).

How many times do we need to double underline the word “mystery” in 1 Corinthians 15:51 before the anti-Pretribulation cronies even begin to u understand the meaning of “musterion”  in this passage?” Their stubbornness to acknowledge their errors reminds one of Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:7. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words describes the word “musterion” as follows:

In the N.T. it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a mystery implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptural significance is truth revealed. Hence the terms especially associated with the subject are “made known,” “manifested,” “revealed,” “preached,” “understand,” “dispensation.” The definition given above may be best illustrated by the following passage: “the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to His saints” (Colossians 1:26).

In other words, when Paul said: “Behold, I shew you a mystery” he revealed a spiritual truth which no one else, including the writers of the four Gospels, could possibly have known unless God had revealed it to them. The indisputable fact is that God chose Paul, and no one else, to whom He revealed the Pretribulation Rapture for the very first time.

But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12).

If the above passage is true, and I’m pretty sure Scott Pruitt will never venture to dispute its veracity, then Jesus must have revealed the Pre-tribulation Rapture to Paul directly in the revelation he speaks of in Galatians.

Doctrinal Absentees

False prophets have a dirty knack to wish away major doctrines when they are not mentioned specifically by name in Scripture. Scott Pruitt’s groundbreaking titbit “It is worth pointing out that there are no direct references to the rapture as an event in and unto itself anywhere in the 4 gospels” is a prizewinning example of his own pathetically prophetic falsities. Would he have been so courageous to say “It is worth pointing out that there are no direct references to the Trinity  . . . in and unto itself anywhere in the 4 gospels”? Come on, Scotty! GROW UP! Your arguments are growing weaker and weaker as you prod along in your escapist theology.