Only in America; only in the fat and sassy western world, could Christians come up with a "cut and run" theology! If the pre-tribulation rapture folks are right, we will be pleasantly surprised, but if we are wrong, we are in for a rude awakening! Although the pre-trib doctrine may seem trivial to some, it may well be the keystone to deception as events unfold and Christians misinterpret their significance.
Their are only two types of Christians in the "last days": those who are deceived and those that aren't. If you read what the Bible says in the gospels about this period of time, in Paul's letters or the book of Revelation, you see two main groups: the persecuters and the persecuted, the deceived and those willing to testify.
"All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another...For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:8-10, 24).
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:16-22).
In the "last days" we can expect to see these two groups - real Christians willing to lay down their lives and apostate Christians delivering up real Christians. Just as the religious establishment opposed Jesus and the early church, the apostate church will oppose Christians in the last days as the scriptures above show.
Some will be a part of the problem and some a part of the solution. Some will believe the Antichrist's lies and be part of the deception, even turning on other believers in righteous indignation thinking they are doing God a favor.
