Chapter 36
11:20 AM EST New York - Bear News Interview Studio
We were all back in our places and the countdown began again. John, looking into the camera said, “Welcome back world. If you missed any of our interviews with Jack South, I want to bring you up to date what we have reported so far. Firstly, we are continuing our interview with Jack South, whom most of you know by now, predicted the earthquake in California today and also won the two lotteries.”
“Jack claims to be a witness from God and has also predicted dire situations in North Africa, Southeast Asia, the South and East coasts of the U.S., which will all take effect by Tuesday; tomorrow morning. Considering his record of accomplishments, he has predicted exact death and injury tolls for the California calamity and the exact demographics. How can he do that we ask, for no man has ever been able to, unless you take into account the old prophets of the Old Testament. Therefore, like in the days of Moses and the pharaohs, we have a witness it appears, directly from God. That is at least what Jack South claims.”
“Also, for those of you who are just tuning in, we are in the middle of a panel discussion among religious leaders from whom Jack has agreed to answer questions. Prior to the commercial break and news updates, we had Reverend Marks speaking with Mr. South. The Reverend says he has a few more questions for him.” He turned towards the Reverend, “You may continue Reverend.”
Reverend Marks looked at me and said, “Mr. South, I want to apologize for my earlier outburst, but what you are proclaiming is very overwhelming. So please accept my sincere apology for name calling.”
“Apology accepted Reverend. These are very trying times we face.” He seemed pacified, so I waited for the next bombshell question.
“Jack. Do you mind if I call you Jack?”
“That’s fine Reverend.”
“According to many Christians, the start of Tribulation will be marked by an event called the Rapture, when all the Christians are taken up to meet God and they then are not a part of the end times. I am a Christian, and I fully expect to be raptured to Jesus Christ Himself, and I am still here, so this event obviously has not occurred. Can you explain any of this to me, for my understanding is that this event occurs first?”
This was the most obvious question. It was one I had brought up to Gabriel when I, myself considered it in my mind. My answer from Gabriel would not go over well with this group for I was about to totally shatter some peoples hopes and prayers.
“What Biblical scripture do you know Reverend, which refers to this thought of Rapture?” I could see the cameras move in for close-ups. I put my head down for a second and closed my eyes. I concentrated, because I knew what the Reverend’s answer was going to be.
“Revelations 3:10 says,” he began, “‘Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on the entire world, to try them that dwell on the earth,’” he quoted. “Also, first Thessalonians 4:15, ‘For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep’. First Thessalonians 4:16, ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.’ First Thessalonians 4:17, ‘Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’” He paused then said, “All these verses are the promises of God, of the Rapture, for His believers at the beginning of Tribulation.”
Back on trial, I thought to myself. “Thank you, Reverend, and thank you for your very distinct Bible quotes. I would assume they are word for word; but once again, where is the word Rapture in the Bible in these quotes you have used. It does not exist.” I paused and said, “I agree with every one of those verses. I agree and believe in them. What I do not agree on is the entire Rapture theory or your interpretations of those verses you quoted.”
I paused again, and then I continued, knowing that this was a major issue with many Christians. “I believe the Rapture is just a theory, Reverend Marks. Darby, McDonald, and the Irvingites based on a dream his wife had, started this movement in the 1800’s. The Rapture has been the subject of arguments ever since and it has been disproven repeatedly that there is absolutely no reference to a pre-tribulation Rapture of Christians. The verses you just quoted require God and or Jesus himself to transcend towards earth twice, once for the Rapture and the other to judge the living and the dead. That has not happened, nor will it, until the time appointed by God Himself. Moreover, today I can assure you, is not that day. However, I can tell you this, He is coming very soon. Yes, there will be a time when the dead shall rise and the believers meet Christ, but not before the time of sorrows.”
I hesitated to let my last comment sink in, then I continued, “Therefore, if you believe me or not as a witness, which I proclaim myself to be, please rest assured that there is no Rapture. There will be no Rapture. God has said in his words, you will be protected here during Tribulation, and that is all He said. My warnings to you Reverend, and to other Christians throughout the world, are what make the scriptures come true; the appearance of the witnesses, not the Rapture, as God’s first 1,260 days or half of Tribulation. So, in answer to your question, you can either help your fellow Christians on how to prepare and endure the time of God or you can continue to hope for a Rapture to occur.”
John spoke up and said, “Thank you, Mr. South and Reverend Marks. We appreciate your comments. Next, we have Rabbi Akavia Ben Tabbai. Rabbi Tabbai, do you have a question for Mr. South?”
“Yes John, I do.”
I looked at the Rabbi and what I saw was an Orthodox Jew, whom I was going to assume would discredit me and Jesus and yet hold on to his God and Messiah. I was eagerly waiting for his questions. For now at least, I would have the other Christians on my side, I thought almost humorously, as I smiled.
“Mr. Jack.”
I found it interesting that he called me Mr. Jack now, also as the Reverend did.
“I would assume that you know we do not look on your Jesus as being the Messiah, but a prophet, and that the entire New Testament is not of our teachings.”
“Yes I know that Rabbi. I am aware that you have very stringent religious beliefs about this.”
“Good. Then I assume you have read some of our Jewish teachings?”
“If you mean the Torah or the Pentateuch, also known to the Gentiles, as the first five books of the Bible, yes I have read your books.”
“Then you know we have our own laws and regulations in those pages, handed down by our Hebrew God?”
“Yes, I am aware of that, Mosaic Law, if I am correct.”
“Then let me ask you. If we are looking for a messiah, and the Christians are looking for the return of Jesus Christ, neither of whom is here today, then who would you really be? Are you possibly Elijah, or Ezekiel, whom we understand never died, but was taken to heaven by God?”
“I am none of the above Rabbi. However, let me tell you about something I know about your religion and what is happening today. There is another witness, who will confront the Jewish people all over the world. He is not yet named to you, but you will hear from him very, very soon. This witness, Rabbi, is better equipped to answer any and all questions about God, Jesus and the Messiah and who He really is. But no, I am not any of those people you suggested.”
“I don’t quite understand about this other witness.”
“Rabbi, I am the witness for the Gentiles, as your religion named us. You refer to us as the non-believers. You will soon hear from a witness whose primary concerns are the gathering of not only the tribe of Judah to Israel, but also all the other tribes dispersed in the world. They are known by us Gentiles as the lost tribes of Israel, which were dispersed in 720 BCE or before the Common Era by the ancient Assyrians, as was prophesied by your Prophet Jeremiah. This witness can answer your questions as you have presented them to me. I cannot.”
The rabbi sat back in his chair and was quiet for a second, then said, “I see. Then we must wait.”
“You are correct Rabbi, very correct.”
John then said, “We really need to take a break for our sponsors and also get our viewers updated on the day’s events, especially in California. We will be back soon.”