How can we disregard all principles of biblical interpretation, logic, and common sense and state that I Thessalonians 4:16 is a secret disappearing of the saints even though nowhere in the Scriptures does it state that the saints will disappear?

Again, we notice that the context of I Thessalonians 4:16 parallels that of Joel 2:11:

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians 5:3)

It is likely that the Apostle Paul, in addition to the personal revelations given to him, received his understanding of the Day of the Lord from the second chapter of Joel, as well as from the third chapter of Habakkuk and the thirteenth chapter of Isaiah.

Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. (Isaiah 13:9,10)

The Christians of the wealthy nations of our day are quite content with the doctrine of the pre-tribulation "rapture" of all who profess faith in Jesus. The doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture makes few demands upon the spiritually lazy believers. It is a destructive doctrine. It leads the Christian into an unrealistic, unscriptural sense of security.

It is time now for the true saints to throw off this deception. The ministers of the Gospel who continue to preach the "rapture," even though it can be disproved easily by anyone who is versed in the Scriptures, may answer to God for their carelessness; for their willingness to please God's people with a false vision.

What must we do today? We must warn the Lord's sheep of the true nature of the Day of the Lord, the Day of Christ. The believers must understand they are not going to be evacuated from the earth in order to protect them from suffering. Rather, the wheat and the tares will grow together until the time of harvest.

As wickedness comes to maturity in the earth, righteousness also will come to maturity along with the lawlessness. This is what the Lord taught. This is what will take place in spite of the "rapture" deception.

The Christian people must be warned. They must arm themselves so they may be able to stand in the evil day. The evil day indeed is at hand!

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

The Lord Jesus wants us to stand firm throughout all the testings and pressures that are facing His Church.

To be continued.