Discernment is always mentioned in scripture in
a favorable light. Discernment was promoted as a
way to avoid error and cause the believer to
continually be seeking and watching with
vigilance. Accordingly, these materials are
provided for you in order to assist you in growing in
your knowledge and understanding of God’s
Word. We have taken great care to give a
thorough and expansive explanation of the
positions of the church.
These booklets are provided to explain Old Path’s teachings on topics of
theology and doctrine. Should you have questions on doctrinal matters or
would like further clarity on these positions, you can email us and we will
assist you by researching the needed matters. However, we do not provide
these booklets with the intention of debating.
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Theology
Calvary Old Path believes that every human who Biblical references: Isaiah 26:20, Matthew 24: 29-
has ever lived will stand before God as judge. 31, Luke 21:36, Romans 1:18, 5:9, 1 Thessalonians
The Bible is God’s perfect and inerrant Word and is 1:10, 4: 13-16, 2 Peter 2: 7-9, Revelation 3:10, 5:7-
the final authority on all matters of faith and belief 10 and 7:13-14
including prophecy. 2 Corinthians 5;10, Romans
14:10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12
Resources: What is the rapture? By Chuck Smith
Doctrine (written in blue) and Dr. David Reagan, Lamb and
Calvary Old Path believes in the Pre-Tribulation Lion Ministries (written in green) and the NKJB
Rapture of the church where all believers will meet
the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world
prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the
earth.
What does all this mean? When exactly will we
meet the Lord in the air? What are the signs? How
can I make sure that I will go in the Rapture? What
do other churches teach about the tribulation? You
are about to find out what the scriptures say re-
garding the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church
as you read on.
These are the areas we will cover to help you
understand our beliefs regarding the
Pre– Tribulation Rapture.
1. What exactly is the Great Tribulation?
2. What does the Rapture mean?
3. When will this happen?
4. What are the signs?
5. How can I make sure that I go in the Rapture?
6. What do other churches teach about the 2 11
tribulation?
What exactly is the Great Tribulation?
The Great Tribulation is the seven-year time period
after the rapture when depravity will reach its
fullness, with God judging accordingly. It will be a
living hell with a degree of violence that is
unparalleled in all of history. (See Matthew 24:21).
The people who have not placed their trust in Jesus
and are not born again will be left behind for the
Great Tribulation. Even though the Great Tribula-
tion will be horrible, it is still possible for people to
be saved by believing on Jesus Christ for their eter-
nal salvation.
What does the Rapture mean?
The Rapture refers to an event where Jesus Christ
snatches His church out of this world. The phrase
“caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the Greek
word harpazo, which actually means “to be
snatched way violently”. For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And
the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who
are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be
with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with
these words” (1 Thessalonians 4: 16 -18).
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When will this happen? In the Mid Tribulation, Post - and Pre-Wrath views
…where is the blessed hope that the scriptures
promise??
Jesus said, ”No man know the day or
hour” (Matthew 24:36). In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 The Great Tribulation is going to be terrible…
Paul said, “But concerning the times and the The Bible shows that God rescues the righteous
season, brethren, you have no need that I should from His wrath. Being a Christian, we still have to
write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly endure some suffering and trials at the hand of
that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the man (John. 16:33, Phil 1:27) but that will be noth-
night. For when they say ‘Peace and safety!’ then ing compared to the Great Tribulation. However,
sudden destruction comes…But you, brethren, are the Bible has many examples showing that those
not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake who put their faith in God were exempt from God’s
you as a thief.” wrath. Examples of this are seen when read of No-
The Bible says that the rapture should not come to ah and Lot. Noah and his family were removed
us as a surprise. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Paul wrote, from the flood. God’s wrath was used to judge and
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain cleanse the earth. Lot and his family were told to
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul leave Sodom and Gomorrah before God burned the
said the same in Romans 5:9 – we’ve not been towns up.
appointed to wrath. Jesus, in the whole context of That is why here at Calvary Old Path we believe
the tribulation said, “Watch therefore, and pray what the Bible says that every genuine born-again
always that you may be counted worthy to escape believer will not suffer through any of the Great
all these things that will come to pass, and to stand Tribulation!! We will be protected from it and for-
before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Here, we see ever be with our Lord!!
very clearly in scripture that we will NOT be here
for the Great Tribulation! This is our blessed
hope!! (Titus 2:13).
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What do other churches teach about the What are the signs?
tribulation?
Jesus said that society will become increasingly
Mid – Tribulation: This view point places the lawless and immoral as the time approaches for his
Rapture in the middle of the Tribulation which return. He said it would become as evil as in the
means the Church will suffer through half of the days of Noah (Matthew 24:12, 37-39). In
Tribulation. 2 Timothy 2-3, it tells us men will be boastful,
Post – Tribulation: According to this view, the arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrate-
Rapture and the Second Coming are all one event ful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious
that takes place at the end of the Tribulation. gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of
Here, the Church suffers through the entire Tribu- good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of
lation. pleasure rather than lovers of God. Are we not
seeing this today? We are told to watch for
Pre-Wrath: This view says that the first three- earthquakes, famine, pestilence and signs in the
fourths of the Tribulation is the wrath of Man and heavens (Matthew 24:7 and Luke 21:11). These
the wrath of Satan, and not the wrath of God. things will increase before Jesus returns. We are
Therefore, the proponents of this view argue that also warned to watch out for false Christs and their
the Church will suffer through the first three quar- cults (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24). All these things are
ters of the Tribulation since the Church is prom- true and happening in the world right now. This is
ised protection only from the wrath of God. why it is vitally important to be ready and share the
“good news” of the gospel with all of our family
and friends so they will not be left behind to have
to endure the Great Tribulation.
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God has given to us the signs and warnings that If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose
precede the coming of Jesus Christ. One of the again and receive Him as your Lord and Savior, you
greatest signs to the world today is the are born again and will start to see your new life
reestablishment of the nation Israel. For years in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17). All born again
Bible scholars had looked forward to the regather- believers will be going in the Rapture! This is great
ing of the nation Israel based on many Scriptures news!!
(including Matthew 24:32), and applying We believe that the Rapture can happen at any mo-
expositional constancy (fig tree or figs in parables ment. As Christians we need to:
symbolize the nation Israel). Although skeptics
Watch. Even Jesus said, “Watch” (Matthew
ridiculed this prophecy, never in history had a na-
24:42).
tion been born out of the past. A miracle has taken
Be ready. Jesus said, “Therefore you also be
place and a nation has been reborn. God has
ready, for the son of man is coming at an hour
reestablished Israel among the family of nations
you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
on the earth, fulfilling His promise even as He said
Prepare. The prophet cried out, “Prepare to
He would.
meet your God” (Amos 4:12).
The re-birth of Israel should be a sign to every Wait. James said, “Therefore be patient, breth-
born-again believer that Jesus is coming soon! We ren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the
believe we are this generation! Are you ready? farmer waits…You also be patient. Establish
your hearts (James 5:7-8).
The rapture of the church and the second coming of
How can I make sure that I go in the Rap-
Jesus are completely different events. At the rap-
ture?
ture, Jesus is coming for His church, and at the
Second Coming Jesus is coming with His
Understand that you are a sinner and need a sav- church!! Keep looking up…. your redemption is
ior. (Romans 3:23) Repent and turn away from drawing near!
your sins. (Mark 1:15)
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