Question: I think it is a very significant issue these days as to which position is correct on the whole pre/post tribulation rapture theory. I understand that the pre-trib theory is a more recent theology. The Bible predicts a great falling away from the Faith in the last days, and I am seeing all kinds of signs that we are very close to the revelation of the AntiChrist. How about it? Who are the "saints" who are present and suffering persecution and martyrdom during the tribulation period?

One more point - in my home town there have been rumours of military people using a scanable bar code on their hands to purchase goods just like a credit card. What is your reaction to that?

Answer: You are correct indeed that the understanding of the end times is of utmost importance. you also mentioned a recent theory or doctrine. Beware that there are many recent doctrines that have come about within the last couple of centuries. Many of these doctrines contradict the Bible in many ways.

We must be aware that the Bible is the word of God (John 17:17). It was inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). The writers were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:20-21) and that the Bible contains everything we need concerning our Christian lives and salvation (2 Pet 1:3). And we must know that it is complete (Jude 3).

We must also treat the Bible as our only source of authority in relgious discussion. Any doctrine or theory that contradicts scripture is error.
The great falling away from the faith began in the days of the first century. As Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus to Troas, he warned them that among themselves they would have wolves in sheeps clothing digressing and causing Christians to become lost.

Many of Paul's epistles are warnings of the falling away. Especially the letters to the Thessalonians (which were two of his earliest writings). Peter, John and Jude all described the dangers of false teaches within the brotherhood of believers.

The antichrists were already present in the days of John as he wrote 1 John. When we understand what the antichrist does, we will see that anyone who denies the Christ or His divinty are antichrist. Anyone who teaches a false doctrine are antichrist, and anyone who practices sin is an antichrist. There are only four passages of scripture found in the bible describing the antichrist. Those passages are in the books of 1 and 2 John.

The saints of God have been suffering tribulation and persecution since the very beginning. Stephen the first martyr along with most of the apostles and early Christians. Those who would be faithful to God have been targets of persecution throughout history, even until now. There is no reason to suggest that there will ever come an end to such persecutions of God's people.

Concerning your last point.
I think technology is great. Imagine a society that does not need to carry money on their person. This would eliminate robberies. Imagine a scannable tracking system that would allow the police to verify peoples whereabouts during crimes. Imagine children taken from their parents that could be tracked by these devices. (we have no problem putting tracking devices on our cars or pets or cattle, shouldn't we want to track our children in case they were abducted?)

The only people with a problem in this technology field are those who have something to hide. Those who want to practice sinful things will want to keep it hidden. It was no different in the days of the Bible (John 3:17-19).

Keep studying God's word. by Carey Scott (July2000 - www.askme.com)

This person sent a followup question;

Question: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" (Rev. 14:9-11).

Whether the mark is a bar code or an implantable microchip as some have suggested, you don't want it on your body.

Answer: I stand upon my faith in God.
What many fail to see is that the book of Revelation was written to the saints of the latter first and early second century. The language is mostly symbolic and the symbols would have been understood by the saints back then.
Beware of many false doctrines that teach things that cannot be found in the rest of scripture. Nothing in all of the rest of the Bible is of this nature. Yet so many fall under its spell. When they do so, they usually ignore the very words of Jesus or His divinely inspired writers of the other scriptures.
The overall picture of Revelation is one of the Victory of Christ over Satan. This takes place from the moment of the resurrection and establishment of the Church down to the present age.

You have been captured by the alarmist and teachers of error. How do I know? Because of your original question. I pray that you study all of the words of God to see what His overall purpose is. The whole counsel of God leads us to "Victory in Christ, through Christ, and by Christ".

It does not matter what marks are placed upon or within my body. My heart belongs to God, and that is the only organ that God will read.

Get out of Revelation and return to the Gospels. Learn the Power of God for your salvation.

I love you and your concern for your soul. I implore you to seek the righteousness of God first above all else. Leave the vain babblings about Revelation alone until you are firmly grounded in the Truth. Then you will be able to comprehend the many truths taught and the lessons to be learned.

People who start with Revelation are lost and confused before they are even found. I beg you to read the Acts and the epistles wherein is the knowledge of the Christ and teachings for our lives. By these we will be judged.

Please study God's word, and I mean all of it. (July2000-www.askme.com)

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