Dear Fellow Believers,
Everyone knows how much I love and respect the Concordant Literal New Testament. I saw my first
CLNT in 1982, and by 1986 I owned my own copy. Since I began this work full-time in 1993, I have promoted it tirelessly. I believe that I am probably responsible for more CLNTs sold in the last 25 years than anyone. Having said that, I believe that the Concordant translation of 1 Corinthians 15:52, "in the twinkle of an eye," is probably the worst translation in the entire version.
"Twinkle of an eye"
was uninspired, careless, and—frankly—lazy. Not only is this word "twinkle"—taken from the Greek "rhipe"—inconsistent with every rendering of its derivative verb ("rhipto"), but it even clashes with the very definition of "rhipe" offered in the Keyword Concordance in the back of the version.
Does anyone even know what a twinkle is? I mean, besides Tinkerbell?
In this video—digitized from a cassette tape audio recording of an address I gave in Grand Rapids, Michigan, back in 1996—I analyze every single occurrence of "rhipto" in its Scriptural context to show you that not only is "twinkle" ridiculous, it hides a startling truth concerning the snatching away that, really, you need to hear. What will be our last conscious act this side of immortality, immediately before the blessed event?
Based on my original research into "rhipto," I believe I know the answer to that question.
Special thanks to Orville Hunt of Grand Rapids, who hosted Ted McDivitt, Ken Pridemore, and myself so many years ago. Thanks also to Rodney Paris, as always, for the technical, studious, and artistic effort that went into this production. It shows.
Finally, thanks to all of you who continue to love and support me, keeping me encouraged enough to continue to herald this Word, opportunely and inopportunely. I can only do this because of you. God has sent all of you to encourage me, and I am so grateful that He has made me an encouragement to you.
With great sincerity from the edge of
the bottom of the Floridan peninsula,
Martin.
