liberty university theological seminary

“Pretribulation v. Posttribulation rapture theories”

In partial fulfillment for Theo 630

Submitted to: Samuel Hoyt, Th.D

By: Tim Russ, Jr.
December 6, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Understanding the Rapture…………………………………………………………………….…. 2
Posttribulation view of the Rapture…………………………………………………………….….6
Pretribulation view of the Rapture…………………………………………………………….…..7
Issues with Posttribulation Theory…………………………………………………………….…..8
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………..….10
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………..…..12

INTRODUCTION
The idea of the rapture has been symbolized in movies, documentaries, books of both fiction and non-fiction. It appears as though many have heard about the rapture and the second coming of Christ, but not too many individuals understand the full theology behind both events. Many Christians and scholars have discussed the second coming of Christ, however, many have not given this topic the close attention that it deserves. Many Christians believe that they have an understanding of the rapture, but few can describe the view they hold on the rapture, when it will occur, and what the period of Tribulation means. This is often because Christians tend to shy away from a full understanding of the end-times and the second coming of Christ. There are many varying views on the rapture, and the occurrence of the rapture and what that means for believers and non-believers. Many assume that all they need to know about the rapture is that it is an even in which righteous Christians are called to Heaven, as this is what they have read in books, or perhaps seen in movies. However, where Christians fail in understanding is when the ascension into heaven occurs, whether it’s before the wrath of God, or after, or if there is a period of suffering prior to ascension. There are three main views that are often discussed when looking at this topic, pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation. Out of these four views, over the past 100 years or so we have seen a swing from Pretribulation belief, to a post-tribulation belief in the 1950s, back to a Pretribulation belief. While there are many Christians that adopt the mid-tribulation and PreWrath views, they are not as commonly discussed. After a discussion of the rapture, doctrine and scripture, this paper will demonstrate that the pretribulational rapture theory has stronger scriptural support than the posttribulational rapture theory.

UNDERSTANDING THE RAPTURE
Many people have knowledge of the rapture or the second coming of Christ, but in reality, many may not know what exactly will happen during the end-times. The rapture is a theological idea, which is based upon scripture, in which the church is reunited with Christ during his second coming to earth. The rapture is the theological term which refers to the “catching up” of the church to meet with Lord in the aid in association with his return and with the resurrection of believers. The word rapture actually comes from the Latin word “Rapio” which if translated to English means to be “caught up.” However, there are some translation that state this term can also mean to “violently carry off,” or to “seize.” Additionally, if we look at the word “rapture” in the Greek translation, it is harpazio, which much like the Latin version, means to “snatch away,” or to “seize.”
The rapture represents the translation or removal of the church so that it may be with Christ forever in the kingdom. The idea of the rapture is one that is based upon scripture, however, there are not thousands of verses about the rapture as one might think. Rather, there is one basic teaching of the rapture, which has been supported by a few other passages. The basic understand of the rapture comes from the 1st book of the Thessalonians in in verse 4, lines 15-17, which states:
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)
This is the only scripture of the Bible that explicitly teaches the rapture. The most damaging problem that is addressed in this scripture is the misunderstanding that it caused in regards to the Lord’s return. It appears as though people were fearing the return of Christ because of the mysteriousness surrounding what and when it would happen. In an attempt to calm the people’s nerves, and to help them overcome their fears, Paul assured them that the return of Christ was a good thing, which those who died prior to his return would rise first and go to the Lord, and then all living believers would join Christ. We understand that there are two additional scriptures that help support the theological idea of the rapture, which are John 14:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.. In John 14:2, Jesus tells his disciples that despite his soon to be departure (note that John never uses the word “Death” but rather “departure,”) he is going to his Father’s house to prepare a place for them. In Verse 3, Jesus adds that he “will come back and take you to be with me so that you may also be where I am,” clearly making a reference to the right hand of the Lord in heaven. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, does not mention the rapture specifically, but rather provides a detailed description of the change from morality to immortality, In discussing this change, the rising of the dead is discussed, much like it is discussed in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Additionally, we know that other scriptures have been linked to the rapture, however, it is argued that only the passages above, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and John 14:2 have enough established doctrine to be considered scripture relating to the rapture.
We know that many people throughout time have attempted to understand, and even at times, attempt to predict the rapture and the coming of Christ. All predictions to date, have been wrong. Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 4 actually discourages rationalistic speculation about the timing of the parousia (the joining of the Lord in heaven), and stated that believers should watch for the return of Jesus while living an obedient life to the Lord’s commands. The basic debate between many scholars, student’s pastors and theologians, is centered on the idea of whether the rapture will occur before or after the tribulation. To understand the basic debate, we must first deconstruct the basic premises of the second coming of Christ. First, we must understand that the tribulation is a seven year period in which there is much trouble and judgment by God. Additionally, we must understand that while the debate has been on-going since the death of Christ, it has been amplified in the past two centuries between British and American Theologians due to the resurgence in futurist eschatology. The debate stems from two mains views which have very conflicting thoughts and doctrine about the rapture and its timing; the two most common views are the Pre-tribulation theory and the Post-tribulation theory. From the names, one can make a determination that obviously, one believes the rapture to be prior to the tribulation period, while the other occurs after the seven year tribulation. However, the way that each theory is developed is very intricate, along with the stemming of other views which embrace both and come up with its own doctrine, known as Mid-tribulation. The pre-tribulation theory carries the view that the rapture, the catching up of the resurrected and transformed believers to meet with Christ in the air and be with Christ forever will occur before the tribulation which is the time of judgment and trouble. The mid-tribulation theory claims that the rapture will take place after the fulfillment of certain predicted signs and the preliminary phase of the tribulation as described in Matthew 24:10-27. Those whom believe in the pre-tribulation theory advocate for a modified idea of the tribulation than those whom adopt the pre-tribulation theory; essentially, they believe that the coming of Christ will come within three and half years of the tribulation. This is a time when the anti-Christ will break the peace deal that has brought peace to the earth and start his persecution and mass genocide of the Jews. This theory of the shortened and modified tribulation period is based upon the interpretation of the book of Daniel in which it frequently mentions the concept of 42 months. Finally, we have the Pretribulation theory which stemmed out of those whom were uncomfortable with the distinction that was drawn between the Church and Israel that Pretribulationaist were making. The theory that post-tribulation brings is that the followers of Christ will be raptured at the time of Christ’s return which will be after the final tribulation.
POSTTRIBULATION VIEW OF THE RAPTURE As discussed prior, the theory that post-tribulation brings is that the followers of Christ will be raptured at the time of Christ’s return which will be after the final tribulation. Post-tribulation doctrine received a resurgence in the 1950’s after a well-known writer and theologian, George Ladd, publish his book The Blessed Hope, which challenged the ideas of Pretribulation, stating that there is no sign of the Pretribulation in the early church writings. Additionally, those whom subscribe to the Posttribulation theory do not believe that there should be such a distinction between the church body and Israel, as well as the fact that the imminent return of Christ does not require a Pretribulation rapture. Most of those whom adopt the Posttribulation theory into their faith believe that there is a lack of explicit teaching about the rapture in the Old Testament. The basic nature of the Posttribulation theory is to refute the theories and nature of the Pretribulationism theory. Many biblical scripture has been used to justify the theory of Posttribulation, most rely heavily on the book of Daniel to make the point of Posttribulation. Additionally, it’s said that after 1. Thessalonians 4, a post-tribulation even is describe in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, which stated that “Now, brother and sisters, about time s and dates we do not need to write you,” which then describes a “day” that includes the destruction of unbelievers. Additionally, in 2 Thessalonians 1-2, Paul appears to provide strong support for the view that believes will not be raptured until after the parousia of Christ at the end of the tribulation.
PRETRIBULATION VIEW OF THE RAPTURE

It is clear that the previous generations of the church did not have as much of a detailed explanation and insights into the end of times as we have had in the past centuries. This has caused many critics to overstate the fact that the idea of Pretribulation was not established in the early church, much like the position that Posttribulationists take. In fact, critiques of the rapture have argued that belief in the Pretribulation rapture was no embraced by the church before the theologian, John Darby. This argument clearly denies the testimony of early theologians, such as John Gill and Psuedo-Ephraem whom are examples of the Pretribulation theories existence prior to the nineteenth century. We also see that the Pretribulation theory can be deeply rooted in scripture. First, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the scripture discussed on the believers will be call to God. The dead will be called to meet with Christ first, and then the lord will snatch up all living believers. The immediate purpose of this was so that believers, both living and dead, can meet Christ in the air prior to his return and the tribulation period. Additionally, we see that in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, that the Lord will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. The scripture also tells readers that believers will not be in the darkness so this day should surprise them like a thief in the night.
ISSUES WITH POSTTRIBULATION THEORY While there is no shortage of arguments between which theory is correct, ultimately, both are just theories and at only one point in time will one be proven right, or wrong, or perhaps both be proven wrong. However, with the data complied, and the arguments made, it appears as though the Pretribulation rapture theory has stronger scriptural support than the Posttribulational rapture theory.
The Pretribulation theory provides a detailed order of events that will occur at the end of times. The rapture will occur at the end of the church age, which will be followed by a period of adjustment. During this period of adjustment, a dictator and ten-nation group will emerge to control the Middle East. At which time there will be a time of peace and a treaty will be made with Israel that will last seven years. However, that treaty will be broken by the dictator (anti-Christ) after three and a half years and peace will end between the nations. This will kick off a period of persecution in which the dictator will destroy the Jewish Temple of the times, stop all sacrifices, and begin a world-wide persecution of the Jews while becoming a world leader. This will spark a world war in which all armies will converge on Palestine and then the coming of Christ will happen. Christ will return at the height of the war and then destroy all those whom have fought again the Lord (Rev. 19) and start judgment upon the Jews and Gentiles. Christ will then have a 1000 year reign on earth and at the end a new heaven and earth and eternal state will begin. The Posttribulation theory appears to do what it can to avoid a clear timeline of the events and just establishes that the Church will rise from the earth hand meet Christ is the air. At which time, the church will then join Christ in extending his Kingdom over earth. After this is completed, an immediate new earth is introduced. One of the major contributing factors when studying Posttribulation theory is the various views on how and what takes place, therefore there is never a clear understand of how the rapture will occur.
Additionally, if scripture is analyzed, we see that there are a number of problems with the Posttribulation theory being supported by the Bible. First, the scripture of 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is often not discussed by those who adopt the Posttribulation theory, rather they avoid it. Verse 51-52 tells us, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a flash in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

This clearly conforms with the teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4, which tells us that the dead who are raised will be given imperishable bodies, which lines up with that is told to us in 1 Corinthians 50 that our bodies are not suited for heaven. A more compelling argument that Posttribulation theory faces is the fact that those who adopt this theory believe that the all the righteous will be raptured and all the wicked will be destroyed. However, if this is the case, then the Posttribulation theory does not account for those who would be left to populate the new earth as described in their spotty timeline of events. Finally, it appears as though the Posttribulation theory has a lack of unity amongst with doctrine structure. The Posttribulation positions differ among themselves on the application of prophetic scripture. The leaves the argument that if they cannot agree among themselves, how are the proponents of this theory expecting to convince students, pastors and theologians that this theory is stronger that the Pretribulation theory which appears to be deeply rooted in scripture and have a clear established timeline of events.
CONCLUSION
Due to the many issues that appear when studying the Posttribulation theory, it appears as though the pre-tribulation theory has stronger scriptural support as the accurate timing of the rapture. However, despite the strong support, we must understand that these are merely theories and will not be proven until the time of the second coming of Christ. At that time, it will likely not matter to many on which theory was correct, however, amongst believers, it will be an occasion of Joy. Too often than not, people think about the rapture and get scared, but it appears as though they are just mistaken in what actually occurs during the rapture. The rapture is a topic that has come up in many movies, books of fiction and non-fiction and documentaries. However, for the true believer to fully understand what the rapture is, we must study the various theories presented about it, along with the scripture and best choose which suits the Word of God.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, Kelly J. “Getting Rapture Ready: The materiality of the Rapture in North America.” Studies in World Christianity 17.2 (2011): 101-118.

Blaising, Craig. The Rapture, Pretribulation, PreWrath, or Posttribulation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.

Carson, D.A. & Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.

Elwell, Walter A. The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001.

Essex, Keith H. “The Rapture and the Book of Revelation” The Master’s Seminary Journal 13/2 (Fall 2002): 215-239.

Horner, Barry E. Future Israel: Why Christian Anti-Judaism must be challenged. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2007.

Jones, Timothy P., Ph.D. Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy. Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing, Inc., 2011.

Lea, Thomas D. and David Alan Black. New Testament: Its Background and Message. Nashville, TN: Baker Academic, 2003.

Stitzinger, James F. “The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation.” Studies in The Master’s Seminary Journal 13/2 (Fall 2002) 149-171.

Walvoord, John F. “Posttribulationism Today: Part XI: The Rapture in Relation to End time events” Bibliotheca Sarca 125 July-September (1977): 203-214.

Walvoord, John F. “Posttribulationism Today: Part XII: Unresolved Problems of Posttribulationism” Bibliotheca Sarca 125, October-December (1977): 299-313.

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[ 1 ]. Walter A. Elwell. The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001), 983.
[ 2 ]. Craig Blaising. The Rapture, Pretribulation, PreWrath, or Posttribulation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 11.
[ 3 ]. Ibid.
[ 4 ]. Ibid.
[ 5 ]. James F. Stitzinger. “The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation” The Masters Seminary Journal 13/2 (Fall 2002), 152
[ 6 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 11.
[ 7 ]. Thomas D. Lea and David Alan Black. New Testament: Its Background and Message (Nashville, TN: Baker Academic, 2003), 382.
[ 8 ]. Ibid
[ 9 ]. Ibid.
[ 10 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 11.
[ 11 ]. Lea, The New Testament, 383.
[ 12 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 13.
[ 13 ]. Ibid.
[ 14 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 25.
[ 15 ]. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 985.
[ 16 ]. Ibid.
[ 17 ]. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 985.
[ 18 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 185.
[ 19 ]. Ibid.
[ 20 ]. James F. Stitzinger. “The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation” The Masters Seminary Journal 13/2 (Fall 2002), 164.
[ 21 ]. Elwell, The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 985.
[ 22 ]. Ibid.
[ 23 ]. John F. Walvoord. “Posttribulationism Today: Part XI: the Rapture in Relation to End time Events.” Bibliotheca Sacra (July-September 1977), 299.
[ 24 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 201
[ 25 ]. Ibid, 206-207.
[ 26 ]. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 983.
[ 27 ]. James F. Stitzinger. “The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation” The Masters Seminary Journal 13/2 (Fall 2002), 164.
[ 28 ]. Blaising, The Rapture, 28.
[ 29 ]. Ibid, 31-32.
[ 30 ]. John F. Walvood. “Postribulationism Today: Part XII: Unresolved Problems of Posttribulation,” Bibliotheca Sacra (October-December 1977), 306.
[ 31 ]. John F. Walvoord. “Posttribulationism Today: Part XI: the Rapture in Relation to End time Events.” Bibliotheca Sacra (July-September 1977), 206.
[ 32 ]. Ibid, 203.
[ 33 ]. Ibid, 202.
[ 34 ]. John F. Walvoord. “Posttribulationism Today: Part XI: the Rapture in Relation to End time Events.” Bibliotheca Sacra (July-September 1977), 206.
[ 35 ]. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 985.