The Case for the Rapture

The doctrine of pre-tribulational rapture has been under attack for many years and it seems the more successful the theory the harsher the attacks. I was warned very strictly against such doctrine at my Bible college. Yet as I worked out my doctrine I felt convicted to take the Bible more literally. Slowly but surely, my convictions for this truth grew. I do not feel that this is an issue that by itself demands separation since one could honestly believe the Bible and still be confused. Yet, this is the teaching of scripture and if there is any doubt then a student should consult the scriptures and do continual dialogue with both sides. But in the end if you really take the Bible literally this is the best if not only destination.


What is the rapture?
rap·ture (r²p“ch…r) n. 1. The state of being transported by a lofty emotion; ecstasy. 2. Often raptures. An expression of ecstatic feeling. 3. tr.v. rap·tured, The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven. --rap·ture rap·tur·ing, rap·tures. To enrapture.

Means literally to be “caught up” or snatched away. Based on the Greek word Harpozo.
Strong’s Lexicon
726 harpazo {har-pad'-zo}
from a derivative of 138; TDNT - 1:472,80; v
AV - catch up 4, take by force 3, catch away 2, pluck 2, catch 1, pull 1; 13
1) to seize, carry off by force 2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly 3) to snatch out or away

Is the rapture in the Bible?
A: Yes!
Rapture comes from the Latin word “Rapturo” which in English translates caught up
From the Latin Vulgate and old Itala Bible (the Latin translations of the Bible)
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Isn’t the rapture a historically new belief?
It has only been popular for the last 200 years. However, there have been others who held to this belief. Several in the 1700’s one in the 1600’s and a teacher in the 6oo’s named “pseudo Ephraem” in Syria.

Why hasn’t the rapture been popular most of church history?
The early church had to lay a lot of the groundwork to move towards a pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. (Most had teachings of Premillenialism, they taught Jesus imminent return, the epistle of Barnabus teaches the 7 Dispensations, and The Apostle’s Creed teaches that Jesus will come for the quick [living saints]). Yet early on many Christians began to believe in Platonism and Gnosticism. Teachers such as Origen and Clement disliked prophetic literature for having God show emotions. So they did what the pagan writers did and interpreted it as mythological allegory. Basically, removing any original doctrine from it. Augustine was Platonic professor before becoming a Christian and he liked this idea so he adopted Origen’s Amillenial system. Augustine’s authority as a theologian and Bishop and loyalty to the Pope helped get the system favor and soon it was enforced all over Christendom. Luther and Calvin perhaps could have revived the rapture but they were both still followers of Augustine and his philosophy. The Anabaptist spent too much time in constant persecution to really develop this specific of eschatology. Plus, their fierce independence was making them concentrate on establishing orthodoxy as some were given to heretical thought and ideas. Therefore, it was only natural for the idea to develop in the 1800’s. The fact that this idea has increased and dominated is a testimony to its truth. Not only does the idea easily become popular, but it is actually highly evangelistic. We look at the success of the first major pre-trib. Evangelist D.L. Moody. Then the dominance of the Scoffield Study Bible. The incredible rise to prominence of dispensational schools Moody, Dallas, Liberty etc. The astronomical sales and evangelistic reaction to books such as “The Late Great Planet Earth” and the “Left Behind” series. Years ago I had a non-Christian friend who testified that people would enter the secular book store he worked at and buy “Left Behind” and several weeks later buy a bible! Yet we do not find such evangelistic zeal from other eschatologies. When we look recent history the pre-trib. rapture has a powerful testimony.


Biblical passages describing the rapture
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This parable is obviously dealing with the Second Coming of Christ. The bridegroom is obviously Christ. The virgins are members of Christian churches. The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit and regeneration. The five wise virgins represent church members who knowing the Second Coming. The five foolish virgins are those who were members of the church but never became born-again. Just as the foolish virgins look to the wise for new-birth, these nominal Christians may have look to sacraments and church membership for salvation. However the coming of the bride groom was too quick for them to be born-again, much like the pre-trib. rapture will be too fast in the second coming. If this was a post-trib scenario the foolish virgins would have 7 years to ask Christ into their hearts. Surely they could have done so if this were true. Also, unlike Tim Lahaye’s scenario the foolish virgins have no chance escaping their punishment.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luk 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Luk 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luk 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
Luk 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
In verse 32 we see the reference to the little flock which is normally interpreted as the universal Christian church. However, the Old Testament always refers to the flock as Israel. (Psalms 77:20, 78:52, 80:1, 107:41, Isaiah 63:11, Jeremiah 13:17, 23:2-3, 31:10, 34:6-31, 36:37-38, Micah 2:12, Zechariah 9:6) The reference to “Little” indicates that Jesus had Jewish Christians in mind. In our age messianic Jews have always been a small remnant. There is a promise that we will inherit the future kingdom. (millennial kingdom) This will be the restored Jewish kingdom where Jesus will reign and rule the world from Israel. (Psalm 2:6-12) They are instructed to give up earthly treasures for the Kingdom of Heaven. This would make no sense if they where to provide their own millennial kingdom like as in Post-millennialism. They are then told to wait for the coming of the Lord when he returns from the wedding. Remember that the ten virgins were waiting for the wedding, but now the wedding is over. The church is the bride of Christ and it has gone through the process of marriage. This is a different group. This is the group of Jewish Christians who will be gathered in Israel who are waiting not for Jesus in the rapture, otherwise they would have also been married but are instead waiting for after the marriage. The Lord then seductively moves the topic over in verse 37 to “those servants” who are waiting for the Second Coming. We are told to keep watching for an immanent return. Yet once again how could that be in a post-trib scenario.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Verse one indicates that this passage is directed toward believers. We are affirmed to have heavenly dwelling in verse 2. Verse 3, focuses on Jesus returning in the Second Coming. He says that will receive us unto himself. Two things must be noticed. If this were after the tribulation the angels would gather believers. Here, Jesus personally gathers believers. Secondly, He makes room for the believers in heaven. But after the Tribulation Jesus will reign upon the earth. One may argue that they will be in different places. The problem with this argument is that Jesus affirmed that he would do this so that we would be with Him! Therefore, this must be a reference to a pre-trib rapture.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here we see Paul’s discussion of the resurrection moving towards the resurrection of the saints. In the Second Coming we must be resurrected, because mortals can not inherit an immortal kingdom. Therefore upon the resurrection we will receive immortal bodies at the Second Coming.
This begs the questing will there be mortals in the Millenial Kingdom?
According to Isaiah there shall be.
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
The question is who will be the mortals in the millennial kingdom? It can not be unbelievers, since according to the scriptures, they are totally annihilated.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
It cannot be resurrected saints sense, they will never see corruption. (hence incorruptible) But if there is a pre-trib rapture and a revival of messianic Jews with tribulation saints then we have mortals to populate the millennial reign.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent[precede] them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Here we see, description of the rapture. Those who are in Heaven will be physically resurrected to be with Christ just before the rapture. It is obvious that this means the body of Christ will be unified at the rapture. Which leads us back to the previous challenge over “who are the mortals to populate the Millennial kingdom?”
Verse 4:18 states that we are to comfort others with the doctrine of the rapture. What comfort would the rapture bring if we are going go through the great tribulation? Especially, if they wind up dead; the rapture would only matter to a small minority. Most would need warning of the great tribulation first.
It appears that in Chapter five there is discussion of the tribulation after the rapture. This implies that the tribulation is after the rapture. These times are supposed to come as a thief. The destruction will be unpredictable. (vrs.2) However, without the rapture could we not foresee the destruction? This time will be a special trap, which according to (vrs.3) is inescapable. Because Christians are not in darkness they are incapable of this punishment. We must watch ourselves and arm ourselves with faith and salvation. (vrs. 8) Yet, how can our spiritual state guard us from the physical curse of the Great Tribulation? If Jesus raptures all those who are saints, and by implication are armed with salvation, then this is possible. Finally Saints are granted immunity from the wrath of God. (vrs. 9) Jesus was our propitiation who took away God’s wrath. The tribulation is described to be a time of God’s wrath. (Revelation 6:16-17, 11:18. 14:10, 19, 15:1, 7, 16:1, 19:15)

2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 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.
2Th 2:3 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;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1:6 shows us that the tribulation is about God’s vengeance on unbelievers, not believers. The account of the Second Coming portrays Jesus accompanied by angels as opposed to coming privately in the rapture passages. At the time of this saints are in a process of glorification. This requires resurrection. In a post-tribulational scenario, the glorification would be after the tribulation and all saints would be punished all over the earth with the wrath of God. According to verse 2:3 the Anti-Christ must be revealed prior to the rapture. In a post-trib scenario not only is the Anti-Christ revealed but he exalts himself as Giving a clear time-line to the second coming of 3 ½ years.
Yet the bible clearly states that Christ will come unexpectedly.
Mat 24:36-42 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
In 2:7 we have a statement that the spirit of antichrist is active but someone is stopping him. Yet they will let him go. So who is this person? Not a nation for Satan has authority over all the world system. The spirit of antichrist enemy is the Holy Spirit.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
If Holy Spirit lets him go then he will be abandoning the saints. Unless they are raptured away to be with Jesus. Therefore, he will not come back until the repentance of Israel.

Tit 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Why would we focus on the appearing of Christ if the great tribulation and wrath of God is immediately next? It is unnaturally to think of the hell on earth that is the great tribulation and know that you must go through it and be entirely optomistic because eventually Jesus will come after it’s over. Yet Paul mentions this nonchalantly implying that this not the case.

Pretrib rapture pillars

The pre-millenial second coming)
literal tribulation
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Jesus says that the Great tribulation will be a great catastrophe than any in history. Most a-& postmillenialists argue this happen at the destruction Jerusalem in AD 72. Yet there are many other catastrophes that are superior in damage even to the Jewish people.
Plus, the Old Testament Prophets have mutliple prophecies of the “Day of the Lord that matches the great tribulation. It is very obvious and sensible that the Lord will come back and take vengeance upon those of the earth.

Literal Millenium
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
During the millennial reign there are two resurrections. Christian apologists will agree that the use of the word resurrection should be taken literally. Why? Because as soon as we are able to taken some references to the resurrection figuratively, then we can do the same with the doctrine of Christ. Therefore, since there is a resurrection of the saints prior to the millennial reign it is obvious that the millennium is a future event. After all, we do not see physically resurrected saints on earth today.

The imminent return
The fact that the second coming will be immanent and unexpected is commonly except in Christian biblical scholarship. Ironically most eschatology’s do not have this in their doctrine. Post-millennialist expect a millenial kingdom first. While mid, pre-wrath and post-tribbers at least half the tribulation. Some consist Preterist believe the second coming already happened. Yet, only Amillenialist and Pre-tribulationalists actual have an understand of imminent coming of Christ. However, that’s about the eschatological doctrine of second coming that the amillinialist really has.
The restoration of Israel
Traditionally only the Pre-trib position has room for the restoration of Israel. Though, lately some are trying to adapt it so. However, if you take the millennium seriously, then you must have pre-trib scenario to avoid a replacement theology interpretation.
Now some do have this theology but the Bible does not.

Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psa 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psa 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Take an honest read through Zechariah 12-14 and you’ll find it obvious.

Believers free from wrath
Many a post-tribulationalist, including theologians will joke. “I think I’m right, but I hope your right.” There is something unsettling about the tribulation post tribulation scenario. It goes a lot farther than just the old ploy of all Christians having to suffer persecution. Because the tribulation is a period of high temptation and the unleashing of God’s wrath. Biblically God does not tempt the saints nor does he unleash His wrath upon those who are propitiated.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
We may endure the trials of this age, but how could face the wrath of God?


The Wedding Supper of the Lamb
In the Jewish Wedding it is the Bridegroom who comes to pick up the bride, as oppose to the bride coming to the groom. Therefore, the Bride waits for the groom to get “caught up” to the wedding feast. (Just as many women still dream of being swept away by handsome Prince to save them.)
Towards the end of the tribulation the Bible repeatedly refers to Christ coming after the wedding.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Is Christ going to desert part of his bride that is living? This is not the scenario in 1 Thess. 4.
The nature of the Tribulation
The point to this period is not to save the lost, but condemn them.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Two Judgements) Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
This point is chronologically before the Great White throne of Judgement. Yet the elders, who are representatives of the rest of the saints have thrones crowns and white raiment symbolizing that they have already went through the Judgement process.
Yet in a post-trib scenario along with the other systems, there is only one judgement.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
In a post trib. scenario the sinners are judged first. Yet Peter is clear.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat[bema] of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
968 bema {bay'-ma}
from the base of 939;; n n
AV - judgment seat 10, throne 1, to set (one's) foot on + 4128 1; 12
1) a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath 2) a raised place mounted by steps 2a) a platform, tribune 2a1) of the official seat of a judge 2a2) of the judgment seat of Christ 2a3) Herod built a structure resembling a throne at Caesarea, from which he viewed the games and made speeches to the people
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment[krises] unto the Son:
2920 krisis {kree'-sis}
perhaps a primitive word; TDNT - 3:941,469; n f
AV - judgment 41, damnation 3, accusation 2, condemnation 2; 48
a separating, sundering, separation 1a) a trial, contest 2) selection 3) judgment 3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything 3a1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong 3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment 4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem) 5) right, justice.
It is obvious that there are two judgements. If there is not 2 then does god judge works or not?

Anti-pre-tribulation passages
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
A Preterist Amillenialist loves this verse. They say they take it literally. The problem is they take the rest of end-times scripture symbolic and way out of context! Look at the very next verse.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Why would Jesus assure us of the eternal nature of God’s word if he was concerned about one prophecy which would happen before the closing of the canon?
So was he falsely prophesying the end-of the world in that century? No.
Then what does that “generation” mean?
It the generation that would endure the Great tribulation!
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
This never happened because it was prophesied for the end-times. We know this because he made an intermediate prophesy.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Therefore they were talking about the end-times.
But was there a rapture?
A: Jesus was not concerned about spelling out the pre-trib rapture in this speech because he was focused on the destiny of the Israeli Jews. Remember Matthew wrote His gospel with the Jews in mind
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
But did not the passage speak of the rapture after the tribulation?
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The rapture shall take place secretly like a thief in the night. It would be quick or secretive, if there was a great sign in the heavens. Nor does Christ use his angels. This is the end of the Second Coming
What about the last trump?
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Isn’t their several angelic trumpets at the end of the tribulation?
Paul is not concerned with independent uses of a trumpet. The subject is day of resurrection and the coming of Christ. He briefly uses the phrase “last trump” much like we use the phrase “end-times”. Christians don’t believe the end-times means “end of time”, it just means the end of our dispensation when Jesus comes back. Revelation was not even written at the period so the origenal audience wouldn’t know what Paul was referring to. However with Old Testament Backgrounds they would know what numbers has to say about the trump.
Num 10:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Num 10:3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 10:4 And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
Num 10:5 When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
Num 10:6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
Num 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
Num 10:8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
Num 10:9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Num 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
It is obvious the use of the trumpet was to give directions. Most importantly the trumpet call was a time of assembly. Secondly this is the trumpet of God, not angels.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Therefore, the last trumpet is the final assembly of the church which obviously happens in the rapture. As the King of kings is announced by the shout of the archangel and the trumpet of God is blown to gather all saints.


Other issues:
Pre-wrath/mid-trib
Many have a softened version of the post-tribulational views. Some are mid-trib, believing the rapture to take place in the middle of the tribulation. While others are pre-wrath and argue a third quarter tribulation rapture.
However, the tribulation is a single instrument in which the first half is a period of temptation designed to trap the lost and prepare them for the punishment that awaits them.
While true believers are capable of overcoming temptation the biblical model is that God is not a tempter of his people.
I also find that there are several mid-trib, advocates who have legalism tendencies. Not all of course, I do know many orthodox evangelicals who believe the doctrine. Yet of major advocates I have found an emphases on what has been nicknamed “Protestant purgatory” where the church is so sinful that it must purge itself of sin in order for Jesus to come. This may be consistent with Judaizing cults. But it is not consistent with Bible believing protestant salvation by grace through faith.

Partial rapture (?) This view states only elite Christians will be a part of the rapture. While others are “Left Behind”. This view is seriously problematic in that it assumes a divided body of Christ.
Once you have multiple levels of the church then you evidently have multiple layers of salvation. This then begs the question of works based salvation.
Thankfully, no major Bible scholars have advocated this position.

Ecumenical rapture) Tim Lahaye is the most popular pre-trib. advocate in contemporary times. Sadly, he is theologically a poor example of the biblical pre-trib position. For a few reasons:
Heretics and people who do not repent of their sins will not take part in the rapture.
In Lahaye’s Worldview the Pope was raptured. However the Pope is naturally apostate. Since he believes in evolution, works based salvation, worships Mary, denies a literal virgin birth*, denies the innerrancy of scripture, believes he is infallible sets himself up as a false Messiah, determines non-Christians to be saved and prays with them, kisses the Koran etc.
The Bible declares non-born-again religious people will miss the rapture.
*Catholics believe that Mary did not have a natural childbirth and that Jesus floated through the womb. This takes away from the humanity of Christ.

Babies will not go in the rapture
While I believe that Christ will save babies at the Great While throne Judgement. The Bible says nothing of them having membership of the church. Therefore, we do not baptize babies. Not only that but they will not be a part of the rapture. This is why Jesus warns against having infants during the great tribulation.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
If the Babies were Raptured that would be a good thing. But many infants will die during the tribulation period. Though, once again, they will be saved at the great white thrown of Judgement.
All those who reject the gospel will become Apostates and not get a second chance during the tribulation.
In the Left behind series a pastor can deny the gospel he preaches and have a second chance. Yet the scripture clearly teach that this is false. The tribulation is designed to punish those who reject the gospel therefore there is no second chance. Many in the tribulation who did not previously receive he gospel will be saved during the tribulation. However all those who heard and rejected the message will succumb to the delusion.
Many of the critics of the pre-tribulation rapture find there critiques, in Tim Lahaye. While the Bible does not pain this loose of a rapture. Lahaye indeed paints a pre-trib. philosophy of Escapism. His hermeneutic seems to keep watering down the Judgement of the Biblical eschatology. Though I agree with the rapture I would never, water down other doctrine in order to make it popular.

There you go.
Feel free to comment.
In Christ,

Brother Matt