Will there be a per-trib rapture

[JoeCanada]

Will there be a pre-trib rapture? We can know the answer to the question with certainty.  The timing of the rapture hinges on what the verse  2 Thessalonians 2: 3 really says.  Does the Greek words ho aostasia in this passage mean “rapture” or “apostasy. ”  All other rapture arguments are secondary to this one.

 

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. (2 Thess. 2:3)

The main controversy in this passage is what the Greek words translated ” the apostasy” [ho apostasia] mean.  Believers in a Pre-Tribulation rapture say it is a code word for “the rapture.” Believers in the Pre-Wrath position say it means “the rebellion  from the faith.”

Paul states at the beginning of this very verse that we are not to be deceived.  It is incumbent on every Christian to understand this passage because there is great deception in the Church about this verse.  One side of the argument is obviously correct and the other is deceiving the Church.  It is the responsibility of every Christian to understand the argument of this contested passage and teach the truth.

Church historians believe that Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians were the earliest letters that Paul wrote with 1 Thessalonians dating to 52 AD (about 20 years after Jesus’ resurrection) and 2 Thessalonians being written a year later.  In these early letters of Paul, he discusses more end time issues than he does in all his other letters to the churches combined.

It appears that after Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, the Church at Thessaloniki received a forged letter from someone claiming to be Paul.  Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to answer the mistaken views that the forgery produced.  It is in that setting that the controversial section finds itself.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2: 1-4 NASB)

Before we examine the exegesis of ho apostasia, let’s examine the passage in context because meaning is always found in its surroundings.

WHAT PAUL SAID BEFORE THIS

Context means whatever comes before it and what comes after.  The passage before this one (2 Thess. 1: 4-12) lays the groundwork for the discussion. We see in verse 4 that the Church was undergoing severe persecution.  This in combination with the forged letter, led many to think the Day of the Lord (God’s Wrath) had begun.  In verse five Paul makes an enormously important point:

This (the persecution) is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  (2 Thess. 1: 5-8 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

The first thing we learn is that persecution of the Church is normal and even considered a sign that believers are considered worthy of the Kingdom of God.  Those who argue that the purpose of the rapture is to prevent persecution need to read this verse.   Paul is teaching that persecution, even severe persecution,  is normal and a sign from God that we are worthy.

This passage then also states that upon the return of Jesus, He will give relief to those who are afflicted and punish the wicked who afflicted us.  By this Paul is re-assuring the Thessalonians that they haven’t missed the rapture,  it hadn’t happened yet because they haven’t seen their relief upon the return of Christ.

He also mentions that Christ’s Holy Angels are part of His coming.  This is to reassure them that it will not be a silent rapture.  Paul is saying Christ will be “revealed” in flaming fire.  It also shows that God begins pouring out his wrath once the Church is removed.

IT WILL NOT COME UNLESS

Paul then launches into the controversial passage.  He begins by reassuring the Thessalonians again that Jesus has not come and raptured his Church yet.  The reason he mentions the Day of the Lord (the Wrath of God) is that the rapture (the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him) must come before the Day of the Lord. God will not let his Church experience his wrath.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2 Thess. 2: 1-2 NASB)

Next comes the verses that cause all the controversy.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2: 3-4 NASB)

Paul says that “it” (the Day of the Lord and the rapture that precedes it) will not come unless two things happen: “ho apostasia” (the controversial words) and the revealing of the Antichrist.  Verse four proves this “man of sin” is the Antichrist because he is the one who sits in the Temple of God and declares himself to be god.  Only the Antichrist does this.  It is how the Church will identify him.  All the “Antichrist theories” out there today are meaningless.  Only by sitting in the Temple can we know for sure the man is Antichrist.

WHICH COMES FIRST

Some in the church teach that “ho apostasia” happens first and then the Antichrist is revealed.  They teach this because of Paul’s use of the word “first” after “ho apostasia.”  Paul, however, consistently uses “first then” if he means a sequence of events.  He always does this.  It is a consistent pattern in is writings. An example is found in the most famous rapture verse of all.

The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together.  (1 Thess. 4: 16-17 NASB, empahsis mine)

Because Paul does not use the word “then” in conjunction with the word “first,” we can be assured that “ho apostasia” and the revealing of the Antichrist are two events that happen at the same time and both precede the rapture.  We know that the revealing of the Antichrist is his sitting in the Temple of God.  We know from MIDPOINT OF THE TRIBULATION: EARTH’S PERSPECTIVE  that this occurs at the Midpoint of the Tribulation.  Nearly all commentators believe this. We have already proven the rapture cannot occur until 3 1/2 years after the Tribulation has begun when the Antichrist is revealed.  

SO IS IT RAPTURE OR APOSTASY

So now let’s finally look at the etymology of the words ho apostasia.  The first word ho means “the.”  This means that this apostasia is the definitive one.  There may be others but this is the significant one.

This is what HELP’S Word-studies and Strong’s Dictionary say about the second word:

646 apostasía (from 868 /aphístēmi, “leave, depart,” which is derived from 575 /apó, “away from” and 2476 /histémi, “stand”) – properly, departure (implying desertion); apostasy – literally, “a leaving, from a previous standing.”

Definition: defection, apostasy, revolt.

Several older 15th century English translations of the Bible claimed the word meant “the departure.”  These mis-translations were based on one of the words apostasia was derived from: aphistemi.  This mis-translation led those who support a Pre-Tribulation rapture to say that this word is a “code word” for rapture: “the departure.”

But as can be clearly seen above, apostasia means “departure from a previous standing. ” It means a rebellion or defection from the faith in this context.

This is not the only time this word is used in the new testament.  The other use of this word in Acts cements its true meaning:

You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. (Acts 21: 20-21 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

In this passage, the elders of the Church at Jerusalem were talking to Paul.  They told Paul that the faithful Jews in Jerusalem had been told that he was teaching the gentiles to apostasia Moses.  By this, the elders obviously meant the Jews were told that Paul was teaching gentiles to depart from the faith imparted by Moses.

This exact match of meaning proves that apostasia means rebellion from the faith or falling away from the faith.

WHAT COMES AFTER THIS PASSAGE

After the controversial passage, Paul supports this meaning of apostasia:

The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness (The Antichrist) for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.  For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (2 Thess. 2: 9-12 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

Is Paul talking about those who were already opposed to Christ or is this passage about those falling away in the great apostasy?  Those already opposed to Christ don’t need a deluding influence to oppose Christ, they are already fallen.  In this passage Paul is is discussing the reason that former professing saints will fall away in the great apostasy .   This is critical because Paul would not have included this follow-up passage explaining the great apostasy  unless he had just mentioned it a few verses earlier.   Otherwise Paul would have simply been entering a random thought into his letter. This contextual proof is further supports our position that a pre-tribulation rapture is absolutely without merit.

SUMMARY

We have learned:

• Apostasia means apostasy or rebellion from the faith.
• Persecution is normal and a sign of worthiness.  The rapture is nota means of escaping persecution.
• The rapture won’t be silent.  Jesus will come with his Holy Angels and fire.  The wrath of God will begin immediately after the rapture.
• The rapture cannot occur until after the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of the Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week) and after the great apostasy which begins at the same time.

Now that we know these things, the passage in 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4 completely shatters two theories:

• the pre-tribulation rapture theory
• the theory that the rapture is imminent (that no other prophecies must be fulfilled prior to the rapture.)

If you currently are holding either of these theories, I am sure this post has been challenging.  The theory of a pre-tribulation rapture is one of the most comforting theories held by the Church, but if it is wrong it is incredibly dangerous. The Church needs to prepare itself for what is to come.  Thinking we will avoid persecution and possible martyrdom is a path to potentially falling away when faced with the truth.

Consider and pray about these things.

(Nelson Walters....."Are we ready for Jesus")

John 16:33 – Jesus Christ said to His followers, “In the world YOU shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 – Paul told Christians, “WE through much tribulation must enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 24:21,22 – Jesus said there would be “great tribulation” which His followers (the “elect”) must endure. Yet for “the elects sake, those days shall be shortened.”

Romans 5:3 – True Christians are to “glory in tribulations” because “tribulation works patience” and develops Christian character.

Revelation 1:9 – John was our “companion in tribulation.”

Revelation 2:9 – To His church, Jesus said, “I know your works and tribulation…”

Revelation 2:10 – Again to His church, Jesus said, “YOU shall have tribulation…”

Revelation 7:14 – God’s final people “came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They did not escape it, but endured through it, being purified.

 

 

[ENOCH2010]

Will there be a pre-trib rapture ?  NO

[Dennis1209]

I'm a pre-tribulationist myself. It's my opinion II thess 2: 3 is talking about apostasy, deflection from the truth, falling away, and not the Rapture in this particular verse of scripture. Just my understanding of the context and use of Strong's concordance. I'm no Greek or Hebrew student. 

[Buckle]

The bible can be used to suggest either if you use it that way. I don't think in context that the Bible is clear enough either way.

[JoeCanada]

Dennis.... I agree that 2 Thes 2:3 is talking about apostasy, deflection from the truth, falling away.

Myself, I'm a pre-wrath believer. 

I should have posted this in 'Prophecy' and not in 'Apologetics'.

 

[Guest]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There will be a pre-Trib Rapture.

[Sister]

  Romans 8:15   For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  Romans 8:16   The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

  Romans 8:17   And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

  Romans 8:18   For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

[Justin Adams]

If you harmonize the end times scriptures, there is one second coming and that is it.

To answer the OP, no. Not at all. This pre-trib stuff began when the 1500's Jesuit concocted some stuff to get the protestants off the pope's back. Later Darby cottoned on then Scofield made his altered bible that was sent to hundreds if not thousands of seminaries.

So pret-trib was 'born' on the heels of Darwin and other 'prophets' of the times. Significant is that strange amount of odd stuff that came about in the 1800's.

[ScottA]

17 hours ago, JoeCanada said:

Will there be a pre-trib rapture? We can know the answer to the question with certainty.  The timing of the rapture hinges on what the verse  2 Thessalonians 2: 3 really says.  Does the Greek words ho aostasia in this passage mean “rapture” or “apostasy. ”  All other rapture arguments are secondary to this one.

 

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. (2 Thess. 2:3)

The main controversy in this passage is what the Greek words translated ” the apostasy” [ho apostasia] mean.  Believers in a Pre-Tribulation rapture say it is a code word for “the rapture.” Believers in the Pre-Wrath position say it means “the rebellion  from the faith.”

Paul states at the beginning of this very verse that we are not to be deceived.  It is incumbent on every Christian to understand this passage because there is great deception in the Church about this verse.  One side of the argument is obviously correct and the other is deceiving the Church.  It is the responsibility of every Christian to understand the argument of this contested passage and teach the truth.

Church historians believe that Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians were the earliest letters that Paul wrote with 1 Thessalonians dating to 52 AD (about 20 years after Jesus’ resurrection) and 2 Thessalonians being written a year later.  In these early letters of Paul, he discusses more end time issues than he does in all his other letters to the churches combined.

It appears that after Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, the Church at Thessaloniki received a forged letter from someone claiming to be Paul.  Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to answer the mistaken views that the forgery produced.  It is in that setting that the controversial section finds itself.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2: 1-4 NASB)

Before we examine the exegesis of ho apostasia, let’s examine the passage in context because meaning is always found in its surroundings.

WHAT PAUL SAID BEFORE THIS

Context means whatever comes before it and what comes after.  The passage before this one (2 Thess. 1: 4-12) lays the groundwork for the discussion. We see in verse 4 that the Church was undergoing severe persecution.  This in combination with the forged letter, led many to think the Day of the Lord (God’s Wrath) had begun.  In verse five Paul makes an enormously important point:

This (the persecution) is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  (2 Thess. 1: 5-8 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

The first thing we learn is that persecution of the Church is normal and even considered a sign that believers are considered worthy of the Kingdom of God.  Those who argue that the purpose of the rapture is to prevent persecution need to read this verse.   Paul is teaching that persecution, even severe persecution,  is normal and a sign from God that we are worthy.

This passage then also states that upon the return of Jesus, He will give relief to those who are afflicted and punish the wicked who afflicted us.  By this Paul is re-assuring the Thessalonians that they haven’t missed the rapture,  it hadn’t happened yet because they haven’t seen their relief upon the return of Christ.

He also mentions that Christ’s Holy Angels are part of His coming.  This is to reassure them that it will not be a silent rapture.  Paul is saying Christ will be “revealed” in flaming fire.  It also shows that God begins pouring out his wrath once the Church is removed.

IT WILL NOT COME UNLESS

Paul then launches into the controversial passage.  He begins by reassuring the Thessalonians again that Jesus has not come and raptured his Church yet.  The reason he mentions the Day of the Lord (the Wrath of God) is that the rapture (the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him) must come before the Day of the Lord. God will not let his Church experience his wrath.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2 Thess. 2: 1-2 NASB)

Next comes the verses that cause all the controversy.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2: 3-4 NASB)

Paul says that “it” (the Day of the Lord and the rapture that precedes it) will not come unless two things happen: “ho apostasia” (the controversial words) and the revealing of the Antichrist.  Verse four proves this “man of sin” is the Antichrist because he is the one who sits in the Temple of God and declares himself to be god.  Only the Antichrist does this.  It is how the Church will identify him.  All the “Antichrist theories” out there today are meaningless.  Only by sitting in the Temple can we know for sure the man is Antichrist.

WHICH COMES FIRST

Some in the church teach that “ho apostasia” happens first and then the Antichrist is revealed.  They teach this because of Paul’s use of the word “first” after “ho apostasia.”  Paul, however, consistently uses “first then” if he means a sequence of events.  He always does this.  It is a consistent pattern in is writings. An example is found in the most famous rapture verse of all.

The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together.  (1 Thess. 4: 16-17 NASB, empahsis mine)

Because Paul does not use the word “then” in conjunction with the word “first,” we can be assured that “ho apostasia” and the revealing of the Antichrist are two events that happen at the same time and both precede the rapture.  We know that the revealing of the Antichrist is his sitting in the Temple of God.  We know from MIDPOINT OF THE TRIBULATION: EARTH’S PERSPECTIVE  that this occurs at the Midpoint of the Tribulation.  Nearly all commentators believe this. We have already proven the rapture cannot occur until 3 1/2 years after the Tribulation has begun when the Antichrist is revealed.  

SO IS IT RAPTURE OR APOSTASY

So now let’s finally look at the etymology of the words ho apostasia.  The first word ho means “the.”  This means that this apostasia is the definitive one.  There may be others but this is the significant one.

This is what HELP’S Word-studies and Strong’s Dictionary say about the second word:

646 apostasía (from 868 /aphístēmi, “leave, depart,” which is derived from 575 /apó, “away from” and 2476 /histémi, “stand”) – properly, departure (implying desertion); apostasy – literally, “a leaving, from a previous standing.”

Definition: defection, apostasy, revolt.

Several older 15th century English translations of the Bible claimed the word meant “the departure.”  These mis-translations were based on one of the words apostasia was derived from: aphistemi.  This mis-translation led those who support a Pre-Tribulation rapture to say that this word is a “code word” for rapture: “the departure.”

But as can be clearly seen above, apostasia means “departure from a previous standing. ” It means a rebellion or defection from the faith in this context.

This is not the only time this word is used in the new testament.  The other use of this word in Acts cements its true meaning:

You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. (Acts 21: 20-21 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

In this passage, the elders of the Church at Jerusalem were talking to Paul.  They told Paul that the faithful Jews in Jerusalem had been told that he was teaching the gentiles to apostasia Moses.  By this, the elders obviously meant the Jews were told that Paul was teaching gentiles to depart from the faith imparted by Moses.

This exact match of meaning proves that apostasia means rebellion from the faith or falling away from the faith.

WHAT COMES AFTER THIS PASSAGE

After the controversial passage, Paul supports this meaning of apostasia:

The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness (The Antichrist) for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.  For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (2 Thess. 2: 9-12 NASB, clarification and emphasis mine)

Is Paul talking about those who were already opposed to Christ or is this passage about those falling away in the great apostasy?  Those already opposed to Christ don’t need a deluding influence to oppose Christ, they are already fallen.  In this passage Paul is is discussing the reason that former professing saints will fall away in the great apostasy .   This is critical because Paul would not have included this follow-up passage explaining the great apostasy  unless he had just mentioned it a few verses earlier.   Otherwise Paul would have simply been entering a random thought into his letter. This contextual proof is further supports our position that a pre-tribulation rapture is absolutely without merit.

SUMMARY

We have learned:

• Apostasia means apostasy or rebellion from the faith.
• Persecution is normal and a sign of worthiness.  The rapture is nota means of escaping persecution.
• The rapture won’t be silent.  Jesus will come with his Holy Angels and fire.  The wrath of God will begin immediately after the rapture.
• The rapture cannot occur until after the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of the Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week) and after the great apostasy which begins at the same time.

Now that we know these things, the passage in 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4 completely shatters two theories:

• the pre-tribulation rapture theory
• the theory that the rapture is imminent (that no other prophecies must be fulfilled prior to the rapture.)

If you currently are holding either of these theories, I am sure this post has been challenging.  The theory of a pre-tribulation rapture is one of the most comforting theories held by the Church, but if it is wrong it is incredibly dangerous. The Church needs to prepare itself for what is to come.  Thinking we will avoid persecution and possible martyrdom is a path to potentially falling away when faced with the truth.

Consider and pray about these things.

(Nelson Walters....."Are we ready for Jesus")

John 16:33 – Jesus Christ said to His followers, “In the world YOU shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 – Paul told Christians, “WE through much tribulation must enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 24:21,22 – Jesus said there would be “great tribulation” which His followers (the “elect”) must endure. Yet for “the elects sake, those days shall be shortened.”

Romans 5:3 – True Christians are to “glory in tribulations” because “tribulation works patience” and develops Christian character.

Revelation 1:9 – John was our “companion in tribulation.”

Revelation 2:9 – To His church, Jesus said, “I know your works and tribulation…”

Revelation 2:10 – Again to His church, Jesus said, “YOU shall have tribulation…”

Revelation 7:14 – God’s final people “came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They did not escape it, but endured through it, being purified.

 

 

You have gone to great lengths of conjecture and your own interpretation to arrive at what is not true.

You are not alone. Indeed, this is a controversial issue, because most of Christendom has fallen into the same trap. That trap...is the "when" of all these events. Is that not the issue? Of course it is. But, therein lies the problem - there is no "when" with God. In other words, it is we who view Him as "the same, yesterday, today, and forever", while God Himself has given the better interpretation, saying, "I am." So, in our "yesterday, today, and forever" perspective, we wrongly apply all our interpretations to either "yesterday", "today", or the future - which says nothing of the "I am" truth of God.

So...if you want to know the truth, get off the idea of "when", and get on the idea of "I am." This is "the renewing of your mind", and the revelation of "all truth" promised by Christ.

[JoeCanada]

ScottA.....you said.....  there is no "when" with God......

My answer:

From Genesis to Revelation, the bible is all about prophecy. Do you agree?

So isn't prophecy all about 'when'?

For example.....When the disciples asked Jesus in Mathew 24...."Tell us, WHEN shall these things be".........

Now here is a great place for Jesus to tell them..... " Ok guys, listen up. I AM is all you need. There is no WHEN with God....."

Jesus is all about 'WHEN"....listen to the words He uses in His answer to them. They are all (in answer to)...'WHEN"

                                            .....For then......then shall....WHEN ye therefore shall see....shall be preached....and then shall appear....shall pass away..." etc

These all imply...."WHEN"

ScottA......you said......" we wrongly apply all our interpretations to either "yesterday", "today", or the future ....."

The article in reference clearly uses scripture to interpret scripture. I don't see any conjecture or implying. This is a biblical study article on 2Thes 2:3,

the author is Nelson Walters.

From the Lords own mouth, He tells us to...

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always,

If there is no WHEN, then why would He tell us to...WATCH"!