In this case the "shortening of those days" are used by the originators of the pre-wrath rapture doctrine (Van Kampen and Rosenthal) in order that they may "shorten" the "TERROR" of the tribulation's 3 1/2 years towards Christians and the Jewish remnant, by having the church raptured before the Lord's wrath.
There are several profound Scriptures which clearly show us that both the terribleness of the great tribulation as well as the great tribulation itself will last 3 1/2 years.
And I know that if those days were not "cut short" (i.e. were made to last "more" than 3 1/2 years) then no flesh would be saved.
I state below what I believe are 3 powerful arguments against the pre-wrath rapture position...
#1. When Jesus said, "but for the elects sake those days will be cut short", he did not bring in a new doctrine. For both the OT and the NT already have it clearly laid out that it will go the full 3 1/2 years with the antichrist in power to the very end.
#2. Jesus said He will return immediately AFTER those days (cf Matt.24:29ff) ...immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days is "THE DAY OF THE LORD", a day of darkness, etc....sun/dark, moon/blood, stars/fall...
Pre-wrath has it set up where He will return "BEFORE" the great trib has ended!
Once again many Scriptures (see especially Joel 2 and 3) refer to this time as the Lord is "PRESENT". He is seen before His armies. This, His one and only coming, at the end of the great tribulation, is also the time of His wrath!
In and of itself the pre wrath doctrine is every bit as dangerous as is the pre-trib. doctrine, because they both point to a DIFFERENT ("false") Christ (an invisible or spiritual one) supposedly coming a second time for His church, other than the one and only real one who comes at the end of the great trib.
#3. I have read where pre-trib believes in "2" comings and pre-wrath believes in up to "4"! They believe that only His last coming is "Visible" to the world.
Dan., Acts 1:11, Olivet, 6th seal, Rev.19, 2 Thess 2, and many others only go to PROVE that Christ returns in glory, visibly, taking vengeance, transforming us, destroying the beast, etc.
Can one so deceived still be saved, especially concerning the last days???
If someone who believes in pre-trib or pre-wrath doctrine says they are not deceived, especially concerning their being here for the last days, then I would like them to study Matt. 24:24 and 2 Thes.2:10-12, and explain how they're not.
***at the appointed time. Both pre tribbers and wrathers are looking for another Christ, one whom they presume will return at another time other than the time God has appointed. It's an obvious setup for the acceptance of the anti-Christ at 'his' appointed time. At the very least, those not ready for Him will hear, "I don't know you!"
Any teaching, spirit, or word that takes away from or adds to Christ's first coming, death and resurrection, and second coming is one that "preaches" another gospel.
The simple Gospel says that: Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus is coming again!
All of these comprise the gospel. And in that gospel is:
Many times I have found that Scriptures as, "those days being shortened" seem to always be the ones that get twisted around to mean something other than what the Spirit of truth intended.
"Now, if I find several Scriptures verifying that the tribulation period will last for 3 1/2 years and none saying otherwise, then I know that Matt.24:22 is taken out of context, and does not, can not mean what pre-wrath claims. Pure and simple!"
Once again when we compare Scripture with Scripture we see that it is THE DAY OF THE LORD; which occurs immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days, that ushers in the real Christ (as Lightning), and not one moment before.
Once again we go to Scripture for the answers. Again and again we see that there is only ONE return of Christ to accomplish "everything".
To have our eyes on any other Jesus than the Jesus laid down by the Spirit of truth; in our being saved past (by His blood), being saved present (by His indwelling Word), and being saved future (by His Glorious Presence) ***at the appointed time, is to be utterly "deceived". I see no other way out! Jesus especially warns us of deceivers in the last days!!!
Jesus coming in the flesh...all eyes see Him
Jesus dieing in the flesh...all eyes saw Him
Jesus rising in the flesh...all eyes saw Him (Acts 1:11)
