A Bucket Full of Holes

With all that is happening right now, you would think that a book review would be the last thing for me to talk about. But, it is precisely because there is so much going on that I must do this book review.

Spiritual blindness is the one thing keeping Christians from seeing what is happening and what is about to happen. If our brothers and sisters were spiritually awake and following the Holy Spirit, I would not need to tell you anything.

But, I believe that this book is vital for many to read. So, bear with me as I discuss A Bucket Full of Holes.

————————————–

Subscribe to The Shock Letter and receive my articles in your inbox:

http://theshockletter.com/

————————————–

A Bucket Full of Holes

On April 5th, 2011, I was abruptly knocked out of my complacency. I wrote about that on my other website, but something/someone just took it down. That revelation of coming events led to the launch of Omega Shock and six long years of writing. And yes, LONG is the operative word.

I do not enjoy writing these articles. I don’t WANT to write these articles. They are profoundly depressing and extremely upsetting. And, the stress of all that has triggered an increasingly painful auto-immune disease.

But, God has given me a gift of writing and an understanding of finance and geopolitics. He’s also given me an unusual set of experiences that allow me show you things that others might not be able to show.

However, when I launched Omega Shock, I ran smack dab into a gigantic problem that I had not anticipated:

The Pretribulation Rapture Theory

Here I was, trying to warn people about a horrifying future, and people were telling me that they didn’t need to worry about it. I was perplexed by this, since I wasn’t even talking about The Great Tribulation. But, I kept running into this opposition, so I started writing about it.

I LOVE PRETRIBBERS!

Please understand that I love pretribbers. Most of my best friends are diehard pretribbers. My pastor here in Taiwan is a pretribber and the pastor of my home church in Jerusalem is a pretribber.

I have nothing against pretribbers, and I would LOVE to be one. In fact, let me repeat that:

I WANT TO BE A PRETRIBBER!!!

My relief at ‘understanding’ this principle would be utterly profound. I could give up writing Omega Shock. I could go back to my professional writing career. I could enjoy life, instead of being so stressed out. But, I have a problem…

I love the truth more than my own comfort.

I Won’t Compromise

Love of the Truth got me kicked out of High School. Love of the Truth caused me to lose friends and family. Love of the Truth has made me a difficult person to live with – from time to time.

I have been a fanatic about the Truth for something like 44 years. I haven’t always held the truth with clean hands. I haven’t always understood the truth properly. I haven’t always promoted the Truth with the love and compassion that it requires. But, I’ve always been a fanatic about the Truth.

When it comes to the Truth…

…I. WILL. NOT. COMPROMISE!

Please note that I’m not always right. I might believe that I’m right, but belief in being right and being right are two different things. So, because I’m a fanatic about the Truth, I need to keep in mind that I might not understand the Truth as accurately as I would like.

I will always believe that I’m right.

But, I will kiss the feet of anyone who proves me wrong.

If you can prove me wrong on anything, I will praise you from here to the end of time. You will be very high in my esteem, if you can prove that I got something wrong. In fact, there’s a Dutch kid who I will never forget, because he proved that I was wrong about Damascus.

This Is Just About Interpretation

So, as I write all this, I want you to know that I have nothing against the pretribulation rapture theory, other than the fact that it is just plain wrong. And, to make that ‘wrongness’ more clear, let me say two things:

There is no verse in the Bible that describes a pretribulation rapture

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, said that the rapture would be AFTER the Tribulation.

Flat Earthers

And, that’s the other thing that makes me so upset. There’s no basis for this theory, but people persist in believing it. It’s the reason why I wrote my article on those who believe that the Earth is Flat:

Escaping the Flat Earth Society
http://www.omegashock.com/2015/11/20/escaping-the-flat-earth-society/

I didn’t write that to criticize Flat Earthers. I wrote that to demonstrate a delusion that has no evidence, in the face of MASSIVE evidence that they are wrong. Atheism, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, Socialism, Communism, Islam and the Pretribulation Rapturism… are all Flat Earth Theories.

That’s right. If you believe any of those seven things, you are a Flat Earther. Sorry, but the evidence is against you, if that’s you.

Please. Don’t be a Flat Earther.

Okay, I didn’t mean to write all that, since this is supposed to be a Book Review. But, I just couldn’t help myself. Flat Earthers ALWAYS drive up my blood pressure.

Stumbling Over Paul Benson

I don’t quite remember when I ran into Paul Benson, but I remember my reaction to reading his articles:

Hey, this guy is GOOD!

Paul is a good writer, and he exhibits that same iron-clad fanaticism about The Truth. I appreciate people like that, and also sympathize with them over the cost that they had to pay. Many of you are in the same boat.

A lot of pain comes with loving the Truth, but there’s no other way to go about it. People just do not want to believe Truth, because Truth destroys cherished illusions.

So, Paul understands the need to sacrifice comfortable illusions, to achieve the safety of solid rock. When Christ is your foundation, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune will buffet you, but you’ll never fall. I feel a great deal of comfort in that.

Paul Writes A Book

Then Mr. Benson spoke of putting his thoughts on the pretribulation rapture into a book – actually, that he was almost finished. I don’t have a lot of time for books, but this one looked interesting.

Right about the time that Paul finished his book, A Bucket Full Of Holes, Mrs. Little had discovered a doctor of Chinese Medicine way over on the other side of Taipei. It was something like a three hour round trip to get there and back, so I had the time.

When Mrs. Little says that something is good for you, Mr. Little says “Yes Dear”.

So, I read. Carefully. And, since I already was in agreement with Paul on what he was saying, I was more interested in uncovering errors and seeing if he had an interesting point of view.

I am pleased to report that I only discovered one tiny phrase that I may – or may not – have disagreed with. It’s a common phrase, and I once even heard my parents repeat it. And, for someone as picky as myself, only being able to point out that one thing is quite an accomplishment. In fact, when I look over my own writing, I’m not sure that I even agree with MYSELF as much as that.

I’ll get into ‘that phrase’ a bit later, but the main thing that I want to point out, is that this book is incredibly accurate. More important, it is written with an exceptionally high level of detail. And, for some of you, that will be important.

Each of us is different. Some of us need an intuitive style of writing. Some of us need lots of facts and figures. Some need more of a ‘human impact’. Some need the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’.

This is why having more than one analysis of the Pretribulation Rapture is so important. Michael Snyder’s book, The Rapture Verdict, is a more softly written book that I would normally write. I’m all hard angles and iron determination.

Paul Benson writes a lot more like I do, but where I talk about patterns and history, he goes straight into the details. And, the details that Paul Benson illustrates are important. While I hit on just a few things and move on, Paul searches out each and every point and demonstrates where the truth is.

I write all of that to say that A Bucket Full Of Holes is an extremely comprehensive book. He has really gone into the details in a way that I have not done, and many of you will need that. In fact, I think that we ALL need that kind of attention to detail.

The Pretribulation Rapture Lie is a deeply entrenched hoax, and it will take a lot of demonstration to pry this lie out.

The Return Of Jesus Christ

Furthermore, Paul Benson sets the terms of the discussion on a foundation that we often forget:

The Return of Jesus Christ

When he mentioned that in his book, I thought, “Oh, Ouch. He’s right.” The Rapture is all about Our Blessed Hope – the Return of Jesus Christ. THAT is the point of all of this. The Rapture and the Resurrection are merely details.

It is THE RETURN that is the point, and we lose that point when we get caught up in WHEN these ‘details’ occur. Our proper focus is on Christ’s return, in power and glory. All of the other events of the Last Days are merely details that connect to that event.

You START With The Words Of Jesus

The other point that I would like to add in respect to this is the centrality of Jesus. And, we often forget this as we delve into the details of what is coming. So, we need to remember the latter part of this verse:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 – Revelation 19:10

That ‘testimony’ isn’t the words spoken by others that Jesus is God, that He died and rose again for our salvation. No, that ‘testimony’ literally means the personal witness of the person being described. It is the words of Jesus Christ HIMSELF that are the spirit of prophecy.

This means that you START with the words of Jesus Christ, when you want to understand prophecy. And, when you start with the words of Jesus, the pretribulation rapture hoax falls apart.

The testimony of Jesus about the Rapture (aka, gathering), is this:

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

 – Mark 13:24-27

(also Matthew 24:29-31)

THAT is the TESTIMONY of Jesus!

How can ANYONE attempt to cast down the words of our Lord and Savior?

My Own Errors Accuse Me

Look, I know that many believe the pretrib lie, because the person that led them to Christ taught this lie. Furthermore, we have all had to fight our way out of some pretty bad errors. In fact, my own doctrinal errors were worse than this pretrib error!

Seriously, I was an incredible, holier-than-thou Pharisee, and God had to drag me – kicking and screaming – out of it. So, I know how bad such deception can be. And, I’m not kidding when I say that I would rather you be a pretribber than be like what I was.

And no, I am REALLY not kidding!

Okay, I need to move on, since I’m at two thousand words, and that Friday class that Mrs. Little and I teach is going to start soon. And, I need to talk about that ‘one phrase’ that Paul and I might – or might not – disagree on. And, for lack of time, I’ll just copy and paste from my discussion of Michael Snyder’s book.

Jacob’s Trouble

I don’t know anyone who gets Jeremiah 30 right. Of course, there’s a limit to my knowledge, so I’m sure that there are others out there who DO get Jeremiah 30 right. I hope that you are one of them.

Most people describe Jeremiah 30 as talking about the Tribulation and the coming of the Antichrist. For most of my life, that is how I felt about it, so you certainly have an excuse if you feel the same way.

In fact, it was only over the past few years, that I realized that Jeremiah 30 was talking about the Salvation of Israel, YEARS before the coming of the Antichrist and The Great Tribulation. In fact, it was only two years ago – now, almost three – that I had that huge epiphany, in which all the pieces fell into place, resulting in  Ezekiel’s Fire.

Now, that I’ve seen Michael Snyder’s efforts, I will need to update Ezekiel’s Fire, to point people to another view than just my own.

Why do I say all this?

Because Michael mentions Jacob’s Trouble, which is here:

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

 – Jeremiah 30:7

Michael equates Jacob’s Trouble with the Great Tribulation, and that is completely understandable, since commentators for centuries have been claiming that it is the Great Tribulation.

But, ask yourself this:

Is that what Jeremiah 30 talks about?

No, it’s not. It talks about the return of Israel to God. The salvation of Israel.

Furthermore, when you look at all the other passages that are clearly about the salvation of Israel, a picture emerges of great destruction and death, before the salvation of Israel – at the time of the salvation of Israel.

Yet, Israel is NOT saved DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION!

The salvation of Israel happens BEFORE the Great Tribulation. And, that is a vital point to see, because you will not be ready for what happens, if you do not see it.

You will also confuse the Gog and Magog in Revelation, with the Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39. In fact, a whole HOST of mistakes will be made if you place Jacob’s Trouble in with the Great Tribulation.

I know, ‘cuz I made most of those mistakes.

In fact, if any of you have a personal connection with Michael Snyder, tell him that I’d like to talk to him via email – or any other means – about this. He’s on the right track, and I would like his input. I would also like to add my own input to his work.

In fact, I would dearly love for him to take this prophecy of a Superflare and run with it. I certainly would love to see how he puts the pieces together.

For those of you who do not know my email address already, it is:

john [at] omegashock dot com

I will try to reach out to him, myself, but I would appreciate whatever you can do to help make the connection.

Does Paul Benson Agree With Michael Snyder?

Now, Paul’s mention of Jacob’s Trouble was brief, and he did not explain where or when ‘Jacob’s Trouble’ would occur. So, I’m not sure about his point. But, I consider this to be important because ignorance of the implications leave us extremely vulnerable.

Because the pretribbers have vociferously claimed that Jacob’s Trouble is the Great Tribulation, people have automatically assumed that this was the case. In fact, everyone who has come out of ‘pretribism’ stills holds that equation to be correct. But, it’s not.

Why Israel MUST be Saved BEFORE the Great Tribulation
http://www.ezekielsfire.com/section-one/why-israel-must-be-saved-before-the-great-tribulation/

The point was brought home to me, when I was talking to an older couple who had shaken off the pretrib hoax a very long time ago – in fact, about fifty years ago. But, they still equated Jacob’s Trouble to the Great Tribulation.

They now no longer do this, but I find lots and lots of people who still do. So, let me emphasize this again:

Jacob’s Trouble is NOT The Great Tribulation.

Worse than that, Jacob’s trouble is coming soon, and my own phrase for that is:

Ezekiel’s Fire

So, Read A Bucket Full Of Holes!

In conclusion, I believe that you should read Paul Benson’s A Bucket Full Of Holes. The detail is exceptional. The discussion is thorough. And, the implications for your life will be huge.

And, as Paul says on his website: “Get it right!”

So, download the book for free, here:

The Downloads Page
http://www.paulbenson.me/downloads.html

The direct download links are here:

PDF FORMAT

E-PUB FORMAT

KINDLE FORMAT

Again, that book – and all of Paul’s other books – are completely free.

Okay, Gotta Run

Okay, I wasn’t able to do as much research as I normally do, and I hafta run. So, the research section is a bit weak, the week. Hopefully, I’ll be have more for you in seven days!

 

I truly hope that you’ll be ready for this
(That’s a link. Click it for a discussion on preparation.)

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.Proverbs 22:3

——————-

If you find a flaw in my reasoning, have a question, or wish to add your own viewpoint, leave a comment on the website. Your input is truly welcome.

————————————–

Click the following link and SHOCK your inbox with The Shock Letter:

http://theshockletter.com/

————————————–