Tue, Dec 06, 2016
Left Behind or Led Astray–Exposed (Short Version)
by Thomas Ice & Paul Wilkinson
... The truth of the matter is that the 4½ hour film seriously distorts the historical evidence and is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths, and lies. These include the following: ...
Series: Articles

Left Behind or Led Astray - Exposed

Dr. Paul Wilkinson

A new DVD documentary has just been released by Good Fight Ministries entitled, “Left Behind or Led Astray? Examining the Origins of the Secret Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” Good Fight Ministries is run by post-tribulationist Joe Schimmel, the senior pastor at Blessed Hope Chapel in Simi Valley, California. Schimmel’s documentary is endorsed by evangelist Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, star of the original “Left Behind” movies. The following write-up appears on the back cover: “Take a fascinating journey with us as we examine the shocking origins of the secret, pre-tribulation rapture doctrine.... Featuring expert commentary from David M. Bennett, Dr. Mark Patterson, Jacob Prasch, Joel Richardson, and Dave MacPherson.” The truth of the matter is that the 4½ hour film seriously distorts the historical evidence and is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths, and lies. These include the following:

“a great and good man, an uncompromising champion for Christ’s glory and God’s truth,” “one of the most remarkable servants of Christ that this country has produced,” “a great man and ever greater servant of God,” “a really good man” whose “largeness of heart... showed itself in many ways,” “a man of commanding intellect” who was “tireless in his missionary zeal to teach the Bible,” a man of “simple and unaffected piety; combined with the ripest scholarship and unequalled ability in expounding the Word of God,” “a man of one aim – the glory of God” who was “always maintaining that close communion with the Lord that gave lustre to his testimony and fragrance to his life,” “a man of overwhelming devotion, whose charismatic personality galvanised disciples throughout his long life,” a man who was “generous to the wasting of his substance, and possessed of more than martyr courage,” a man capable of “remarkable humility” who demonstrated “an especial sympathy” with children, and a man used by God “to bring cosmos out of chaos for the church of God.”

Even Darby critic Max Weremchuk, who is quoted by Schimmel on the DVD, writes in an article that he remains impressed by Darby’s “devotion to Christ and his high level of personal holiness.”

Dr Paul Wilkinson
Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church, UK

Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church, 68 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom, SK7 4AF
Tel. (+01144) 0161-456-8393.  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Registered Charity Number: 1051785

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Endorsements

"None of the attacks and accusations against Dr. Paul Wilkinson, and his classic documentation and support of John Nelson Darby, ever had anything to do with my support and belief in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church.  I came to my conviction by studying God's Word and especially the Greek manuscripts.  I have believed, preached and taught the pre-tribulation rapture of the church long before my connection with the Pre-Trib Research Center in Dallas, Texas.

The supreme issue of all (in my opinion) is the "new song" of Revelation 5:9-10.  The usage of the second person plural pronoun ("us") forces any Bible scholar to support pre-tribulationalism (the Greek manuscript evidence reveals that out of the 24 manuscript readings available today, 23 read "us" and the only manuscript reading otherwise is Codex Alexandrinus.)  In addition to the usage of "us" in the phrase of verse 9 ("redeemed us"), the reading of verse 10 is identical to Revelation 1:6.

The anger and hostility evidenced in the writings and messages of these men is not only revealing, but exposing them.  The truth of I Thessalonians 4:13-18, along with I Thessalonians 5:1-9 is overwhelming in its support of pre-tribulationalism.  It is time to stop the bitterness and to learn the grace and love of our Lord in speaking of Biblical truth.  Our viewpoints do NOT authenticate Biblical truth – It is the BIBLE, the whole BIBLE, and nothing but the BIBLE – it is God's infallible and inspired word!”
~Dr David Hocking, Hope for Today

“Wilkinson’s impeccable documentation and reasoning from Scripture thoroughly refute the myth that Darby got his doctrine of the Pre-tribulation Rapture from a Scottish girl and two Jesuit priests. Primary historical sources cited herein clearly demonstrate the contrary truth. I highly recommend this excellent treatment of a controversial subject that has confused many.”
~Dave Hunt, Founder of The Berean Call, Bend, Oregon

“Due to the personal attacks on John Nelson Darby, many believers are confused on whether they should support Israel.... This work by Dr. Wilkinson is a work greatly needed to clarify these issues for many believers and it should be read by all to understand Darby, Zionism, and Israel.”
~Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Director of Ariel Ministries, San Antonio, Texas

“Few dedicated Christian scholars with an evangelistic ministry have been attacked more unfairly than John Nelson Darby, who did more to promote the doctrine of the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church than any other person. Darby did not invent it, of course, for it is both Biblical and ancient, but he popularised it during the nineteenth century. This well researched and readable book carefully sets the record straight and makes a valuable contribution to prophetic studies.”
~Dr Tim LaHaye, Chairman of the Pre-Trib Research Center, Dallas

“In the final analysis, Dr. Wilkinson has restored Darby’s reputation as having been a pious visionary used by God at a crucial time in history to formulate for His Church a comprehensive and coherent theological system that provided the Biblical foundation for Christian Zionism. For any student of ecclesiastical and political history, as well as systematic and historical theology, this book is essential reading.”
~Dr Randall Price, Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

“With so much confusion and misinformation today concerning dispensationalism, Christian Zionism, and the role of J.N. Darby, Wilkinson’s work is a breath of theological and historical fresh air. I am deeply grateful for his fine scholarship and the balanced way in which he makes his case. This work should quickly become a standard on Christian Zionism and Darby’s influence on this important movement.”
~Dr. Mark Hitchcock, Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church, Edmond, Oklahoma