* The Conclusion of the Matter: Now that this series is complete, the question is: will the Preterists at TheologyOnline.com and TheologyWeb.com link to these discussions between Bob Enyart and Gary DeMar? (To make it easy: Gary DeMar & Bob Enyart Pt 1, Gary Demar & Bob Enyart Pt 2, Gary DeMar & Bob Enyart Pt 3.) That will at least provide a hint as to whether they think the Preterist or the Dispensational position was best defended.
* The One Verse: Gary DeMar argues that dispensationalists cannot give one verse that shows that the rapture precedes the great tribulation. Of course, a one-verse test is not a valid test, and many vital doctrines including that of the triune God require more than one verse to demonstrate. However, Bob happily quoted Paul's statement, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come [The Departure] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thes. 2:3). The Greek word for "falling away" is apostasia, which today means departure from the faith, but is a cognate noun (related by derivation) of the verb aphistemi which means to depart as when "the angel departed" (Acts 12:10). Also, while some translators overlook this, Paul here uses the definite article "the," that is "the departure," making this a reference that expects an antecedent. That is, Paul is not referring to any apostasia, but to a particular one, "The Apostasia." So, which Departure is Paul referring to? An antecedent does not necessarily need to appear in the immediate context, but it is common that it would. And there is no "falling away" in Paul's Epistle up to this point that his definite article could refer to. However, this very paragraph begins (two verses earlier) with the direct statement of "our being gathered together to Him" which explicitly identifies the Departure that is being referred to, that is: "concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him..."
* Thanks to You!: Our annual BEL February telethon is going great thanks to our listeners! Already they have given 55% ($13,825) of the vital telethon goal of $25,000!
Today's Resource: If you would like to help keep Bob Enyart Live airing for another year on the most powerful Christian radio station in America, the 50,000-watt AM 670 KLTT, please consider giving to the BEL Telethon either online, or by calling the BEL Cabin at 800-8Enyart (836-9278), or you can subscribe to the BEL Bible Study Albums, Bob's monthly Sermons, or our brand new service, the BEL Televised Classics! The mailman will deliver DVDs to your door of 4, 8, or 16 classic BEL TV shows a month for $24.99, $34.99 or $49.99 (only $3.13 per show)! Just call us or click BEL Televised Classics!