C.I. Scofield’s reference “bible” and its evil influence…
C.I. Scofield doubted the Word of God
Was 2Thessalonians 2:2 a “mistranslation” ?
Should it be ‘day of the Lord‘, or ‘day of Christ‘ ?
Does it really matter ? Is every word, important ?
“Day of Christ” – vs. – “Day of the Lord” … So, what’s the Big Deal, anyway???
The godly prayer warrior and orphanage director, George Muller, was once asked about his position on the timing of end time events, and this is what he had to say— “In Toronto, during a large conference in December 1879, George Muller addressed this issue. Roger Steer wrote: “’On the final afternoon Muller publicly replied to nine written questions one of which was hotly debated then as it is in some quarters today. The question was: ‘Are we to expect our Lord’s return at any moment, or that certain events must be fulfilled before He comes again?’ Hundreds of pulses beat a little faster as Muller rose to his feet to deliver his reply:
‘I know that on this subject there is a great diversity of judgment, and I do not wish to force on other persons the light I have myself. The subject, however, is not new to me; for having been a careful student of the Bible for nearly fifty years [Muller read the Bible through over 100 times], my mind has long been settled on this point, and I have not the shadow of doubt about it. The Scriptures declare plainly, that the Lord Jesus will not come until the apostasy shall have taken place, and the man of sin, “the son of perdition” (or personal Antichrist) shall have been revealed, as seen in second Thessalonians chapter 2 [verses 2, 3]. Many other portions of the Word of God distinctly teach, that certain events are to be fulfilled before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. This does not, however, alter the fact, that the coming of Christ and not death, is the great hope of the church, and, if in a right state of heart, we (as the Thessalonian believers did) shall “serve the living and true God,” and wait for His Son form Heaven.”‘ — The Post -Trib, Pre-Wrath Rapture (p.40) by Roland Rasmussen, The Post –Trib Research Center, Canoga Park, CA, 1996 – Also: George Muller Delighted in God! (p. 255) by Roger Steer, Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1981 – Also found “word for word” in: George Muller -“Heroes of the Faith” by William H. Harding, Barbour and Company, Inc., 1985 (pgs. 331-333)
George Muller understood this!
Second Thessalonians, chapter 2, is a passage of Scripture that has been twisted, edited, ignored, and forgotten. However, the Apostle Paul, inspired by God, gave the troubled Thessalonian believers reassurance that the “day of Christ” had not happened, yet (i.e. that they had not missed the rapture!), and that they could rest assured that there would be certain events that must come, before the “day of Christ”— “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition…” (2Thessalonians 2:1-3)
Yet, Pre-Tribbers insist that “the day of Christ” is really “the day of the Lord”… and, the question should be asked, WHY???
“But, isn’t ‘Christ’ and ‘Lord’ the same person—and, so, doesn’t the ‘day of Christ’ and ‘day of the Lord’ mean the same thing??” …What’s the big deal, anyway???”
Yes, He is the same person—both, Lord and Christ.. However … No, these two phrases do not have the same meaning!
The “big deal”, or the big difference, is that “day of Christ” (or any similar combination of these words, concerning the “day of Christ”) means = the return of Christ [the Messiah], and this phrase is always a positive event (for the saved) throughout the Scriptures. Note the following—
{1Corinthians 1:7-8} “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
{Philippians 1:6} “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
{Philippians 1:10} “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”
{Philippians 2:16} “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
{2Thessalonians 2:1-3} “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means…”
However, the “day of the Lord” means = the judgment [wrath] of God upon the unsaved, and it is directly connected to a negative event in the Scriptures. Even the “KJV-only”, “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” theologians recognize this, and have admitted as much—
“The Day of Christ relates entirely to the reward and blessing of the children of God at His coming. The Day of the Lord is connected entirely with judgment poured out on the ungodly. The Day of Christ has to do with the redeemed and the rewards. The Day of the Lord has to do with unbelievers, those who have rejected Christ and therefore automatically fall under the judgment and wrath of Almighty God. “The Day of the Lord” is an expression from the Old Testament and has to do with Christ’s universal dealing with the ungodly in judgment in preparation for His eternal kingdom. The Day of Christ is an expression found in the New Testament and has to do with the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Rapture, to catch away His Church and to reward His children…”– Oliver B. Greene – Bible Prophecy – Oliver B. Greene – 1970 – page 259 – The Gospel Hour, Inc.
“The Day of Christ – the Anointed One – Messiah or Saviour… This is a day of deliverance for the believer… The Day of the Lord… The title ‘Lord’ speaks of a Sovereign ruler and Judge. This is judgment day for the wicked.”– Dr. Dennis Corle – Proof of the Pre-Tribulation RAPTURE – Dr. Dennis Corle – 2021 [pp60-61]
“…Billions of people will die during the Great Tribulation from wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and totalitarianism on a scale that will make Stalin and Mao seem like choir boys. It is all described in the book of Revelation for those who are interested. It is called “the day of the Lord” because it will spell doom for “the day of man.” – David Cloud – Friday Church News Notes – January 8, 2021 – Volume 22, Issue 2https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/the_pre_tribulation_rapture.html accessed may 2019)
However, what is not widely recognized by most church laymen, is that those who hold to a “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” Eschatology, are promoting the readings in the modern Bible versions—straight from the corrupt, Alexandrian Greek texts— and, this is not by accident. Many of these “Pre-Trib Scholars” have chosen the Alexandrian MSS on purpose, because they understand the difference between “day of Christ” and “day of the Lord”, all too well—
“Is it the Day of Christ, or is it the Day of the Lord? In all the translations from the Westcott-Hort Alexandrian Greek texts, it is Day of the Lord due to the Greek word “kuriou”. In the Authorized Bible (King James Version), it is translated Day of Christ due to the fact the Greek in the Textus Receptus is “cristou” rather than “kuriou”. If one believes the Textus Receptus is the preserved inerrant Greek Word of God, and not the Westcott-Hort Greek, then he must be consistent, and use the correct translation, Day of Christ, rather than the Day of the Lord…”– H. Wayne Williams [Dr. H. Wayne Williams’ 101 Thesis, “God’s Master Plan” – [unpublished] – THESIS NUMBER 71 – “TWO TERMS NOT THE SAME”]
To this author’s knowledge, every modern English Bible version (except for the “New King James Version”) has substituted “day of the Lord”, instead of “day of Christ”, in Second Thessalonians chapter 2. And, why is this so? Because, the modern English translations, come from the Alexandrian Greek MSS, instead of the Textus Receptus {Received Text}. And, sadly, most of today’s churches are being taught from a Bible version that is not the old King James Bible. Not surprisingly, the Non-KJV authors, such as David Jeremiah, John MacArthur, John Walvoord, Tim Lahaye, etc., departed from the “day of Christ” reading, long ago. They would prefer any other version than the KJV! However, even if you are/were under a pastor who uses the KJV, it is very likely that he too, unwittingly values a Pre-Trib Eschatology above the actual Scripture text, Itself — Allow me to explain…
For instance— Author, David Cloud insists on changing the phrase “day of Christ” to “day of the Lord”, in the minds of his followers– yet, he claims to be “KJV-only”!!!! …See for yourself—
Cloud claims to have written an Encyclopedia of the Bible—”Based upon the King James Bible and written from an uncompromising, Bible-believing position” — yet, even Cloud has stooped to replacing the KJV translators’ choice of “Christ” [χριστου] = as is found in the Received Text, with the Alexandrian MSS use of the word, “Lord” = [κυρίου·] !!!
“Day of Christ. The period of time when Christ takes control of the world through judgment and his second coming (1 Co. 1:8; 5:5; 2 Co. 1:14; Ph. 1:6, 10; 2:16; 2 Th. 2:2,3). If the “day of Christ” in 2Thess. 2:1-3 refers to the Rapture of the church age saints, it would teach that it does not occur until after the appearance of the Antichrist. Some use this passage as a proof text to support such a position. We do not believe the “day of Christ” refers to the Rapture, though. It refers, rather, to “the day of the Lord” spoken of frequently in Old Testament prophecy…” [1]
“…We believe that the solution to the apparent contradiction … is to understand that the “day of Christ” here refers not to the Rapture, but to “the day of the Lord”… If we read 2 Th. 2:3 as follows, there are no contradictions: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the day of the Lord] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” [2] – David Cloud (emphasis added)
[1] Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity – “Based upon the King James Bible and written from an uncompromising, Bible-believing position” – Edited by David Cloud (4th Edition)1993/2002 – Way of Life Literature – Printed in Canada by Bethel Baptist Print Ministry – London, Ontario (pg 146) – See also: Things Hard to be Understood – A Handbook of Biblical Difficulties – by David W Cloud – 1996/1997 (p 170) {bold & underlining emphasis, mine}
[2] The Fundamental Doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture – David Cloud – Updated and enlarged February 18, 2020 [see also: What about Steven Anderson? -p128- 2017] https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/fundamental_doctrine_of_the_pre-tribulatino_rapture.php {accessed 2021 – bold & underlining emphasis, mine}
Ah, so… “if” we would just replace, “day of Christ” [with “day of the Lord”], there would be no contradictions!
“If you’ll just read it as it reads in the modern versions— instead of how it reads in the KJV, please…” ~ David Cloud …WOW…!!!
* Keep in mind, David Cloud claims to be “Textus Receptus” & “King James Version”, only!!!
WHY is David Cloud encouraging his followers to just ‘read’ 2Thessalonians 2:2-3, as if it were from the Alexandrian – Westcott & Hort Greek texts????
…Hmmm????????
“If the “day of Christ” in 2Thess. 2:1-3 refers to the Rapture of the church age saints, it would teach that it does not occur until after the appearance of the Antichrist.” (David Cloud’s Way of Life Encyclopedia -page 146)
YES, Mr. Cloud — THAT conclusion is Exactly Right! {And, Biblical!}
We certainly hope that David Cloud can learn to see the error of his ways— and to practice some of his own medicine!
And, David Cloud is not the only “KJV” author to promote this subtle switch from the “day of Christ“ to “the day of the Lord” — Well known authors, J.Vernon McGee, John R. Rice, Henry Morris, David Sorenson, Thomas Strouse, William Kanoy, etc., etc., have all made similar editing suggestions for 2Thessalonians 2:2-3!
Are these men “King James Version” &/or “Textus Receptus” Only? …I should say, NOT!
But, what NONE of the above names probably even realize, is this— they have also aligned themselves with the Catholics & Jehovah Witnesses!!!
The Holy Bible Catholic Version – 1966 (see the Catholic RSV, and their other versions, as well)
2Thessalonians 2:2 – “Not to be hastily shaken from your right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.”
New World Translation (Jehovah Witness’ Bible -1984 & 2013)
2Thessalonians 2:2 – “not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.”