Controversial Pre-Tribulation Rapture Perspective & Challenges

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture view, proposing that the rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation, has been a subject of debate among Christians. Proponents of this view draw support from several scriptural passages and offer deeper insights to support their perspective.

One of the key passages supporting the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This passage describes the event where believers in Christ, both those who have died and those who are alive, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Advocates of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture argue that this event signifies a distinct and separate o

ccurrence from the events of the Great Tribulation.

"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. 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."

Revelation 3:10 is often cited in support of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view. In this verse, Jesus promises the church in Philadelphia that He will keep them from "the hour of trial" that is going to come upon the whole world. Proponents of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture interpret this as a promise of deliverance for believers before the period of intense tribulation and judgment.

"Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

Common Question: This was spoken to 1 out of the 7 churches. Could this be speaking of something other than the rapture of the church? It is not Gods character to take only part of the church and leave the other parts behind in regard to protection/ deliverance and the rapture.

We should consider that since the messages in Revelation 2-3 are addressed to specific churches, it may seem inconsistent with God's character to leave only one faithful church behind while taking the rest through the rapture. In these letters, Jesus addresses both commendable and admonishing aspects of each church's faithfulness.

The idea that only one church would be raptured while others are left behind is not explicitly suggested in the letters to the seven churches. Each church is called to listen and respond to the message given to them individually. However, it is important to note that the primary purpose of these letters was to address the specific conditions and needs of those churches in the first-century context.

When it comes to the question of the rapture and the fate of the churches, it is necessary to look beyond the letters to the broader teachings of the Bible. Different interpretations exist regarding the timing and nature of the rapture, and these interpretations influence how one understands the relevance of the messages to the seven churches in relation to the rapture.

Some theologians propose that the letters to the seven churches in Revelation have a dual application. They see them as not only addressing the historical churches but also representing different spiritual conditions and characteristics that can be found throughout the Church Age. In this view, each church's message has relevance and lessons for believers in different eras.

Regarding the question of why only one church is mentioned in relation to the promise of being kept from the hour of trial, it is important to recognize that the letters to the seven churches focus on specific commendations and admonitions that relate to their individual situations.

Advocates of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view often draw upon scripture to support their emphasis on the distinction between the church and Israel in relation to the Great Tribulation. They argue that the Great Tribulation primarily focuses on the restoration and judgment of Israel, and thus, the church, as the bride of Christ, will be spared from this period. Here are some scriptural passages commonly cited to bolster their argument:

• Romans 11:25-26: This passage speaks of a partial hardening of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. It suggests that after this period, all Israel will be saved. Pre-Tribulation Rapture proponents interpret this as indicating that God has a distinct plan for Israel separate from the church, and the church will be removed before the Great Tribulation, allowing God to focus on the restoration and salvation of Israel.

"For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.'"

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10: In this verse, Paul mentions that the Thessalonian believers were waiting for God's Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Advocates of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture argue that the phrase "wrath to come" refers to the period of the Great Tribulation, from which believers will be delivered through the rapture.

"and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

• Revelation 3:10: As mentioned earlier, this verse in the letter to the church in Philadelphia promises deliverance from the "hour of trial" that is coming upon the whole world. Pre-Tribulation Rapture proponents interpret this as a specific assurance to the church that they will be kept from the tribulation period.

"Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

These scripture passages, along with others, are commonly used to support the viewpoint that the church and Israel are distinct entities with separate roles and destinies. Pre-Tribulation Rapture proponents argue that the focus of the Great Tribulation is primarily on God's dealings with Israel, and therefore, the church will be spared from this period of intense tribulation and judgment.

The topic of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation remains a subject of theological debate, and Christians should approach it with open minds, studying the scriptures and seeking God's guidance.

These proponents also point to the concept of imminence, which suggests that the return of Christ for His church could happen at any moment. They argue that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture aligns with this understanding, as it allows for the imminent return of Christ without the need for specific signs or events preceding it.

While the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view presents a compelling case, it is important to note that there are other perspectives within Christianity, such as the Mid-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation views, which offer different interpretations of the timing of the rapture.

Two common challenges to the Pre-Tribulation View (out of several):

• Pretribulationism introduces the concept of two distinct phases of Jesus Christ's return—the Rapture and the Second Coming—while the Bible does not explicitly outline such phases. Another challenge for the pretribulational view is the presence of saints during the Tribulation as mentioned in Revelation 13:7 and 20:9. Critics argue that this contradicts the idea of a pretribulation Rapture. Pretribulationists address this by distinguishing between the saints of the Old Testament, the saints of the Tribulation, and the church of the New Testament. According to their interpretation, believers who are alive at the time of the Rapture will be removed before the Tribulation, but there will be individuals who come to faith in Christ during that period.

Revelation 13:7 states, "Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation."

This verse is part of a larger passage that describes a beast rising out of the sea, symbolizing a powerful and oppressive world system or ruler during the time of the Great Tribulation.

In this particular verse, it mentions that this beast is granted authority to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. Critics of the pretribulational view often point to this verse as evidence that there will be believers present during the Tribulation period who will experience persecution and martyrdom.

However, pretribulationists respond to this verse by distinguishing between different groups of saints. They argue that the saints referred to in Revelation 13:7 are not the same as the Church, which they believe will be raptured before the onset of the Tribulation. According to their interpretation, these saints represent those who come to faith in Christ after the Rapture, during the Tribulation period.

Pretribulationists believe that the Church, as the body of Christ, will be spared from the wrath and persecution described in the book of Revelation. They assert that the primary purpose of the Tribulation is to fulfill God's plans for Israel and to bring about judgment upon the unbelieving world. Therefore, while Revelation 13:7 speaks of saints being persecuted during the Tribulation, pretribulationists maintain that these are distinct from the Church, which will have been previously removed from the earth.

• Some critics raise the issue of Jesus' statement in John 6:40, where He promises believers a resurrection "at the last day." This poses a challenge to the pretribulational model, as it suggests that the resurrection occurs on the last day, which is typically associated with the Second Coming. However, pretribulationists address this by understanding the term "last day" in a broader sense. They argue that the end times, referred to as "the last day," encompass the entire period from the Rapture to the Second Coming. They also emphasize that the Rapture signifies the end of the church age, making it "the last day" of this particular dispensation.

John 6:40 states, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."

Ultimately, the timing of the rapture remains a mystery, and Christians should approach this topic with humility and grace. While studying various scriptural passages and engaging in theological discussions can provide insights, it is important to remember that our understanding is limited and that unity in Christ should take precedence over debates about specific events.

The topic of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture has sparked significant discussion and differing opinions among Christians. We invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts on this intriguing subject. Whether you have questions, insights, or personal reflections, your input is valuable in exploring this perspective on end-times events. You can leave a comment below or email us at praymethrough@yahoo.com to contribute to the ongoing dialogue.

It has best been said, "As Christians, we should pray for pre-tribulation

but prepare for post-tribulation."

Amanda Allen

Write & Blogger

www.KingdomRevelations.com

"Thank you for reading my Kingdom Revelations articles. If you appreciate my work and would like to support me, please consider giving through Cash App $AraKRevelations. Your generosity allows me to continue researching and sharing insights that can help empower and transform lives."

Sources:

https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/end-times/is-a-pretribulation-rapture-biblical.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/pretribulationism.html

https://christinprophecy.org/articles/why-i-believe-in-a-pre-tribulation-rapture/

https://pastorvlad.org/tribulation/