Eschatology and Ecclesiology Rapture Systems – Part I

Key Questions Is there a distinction between the Church and Israel? Is there a distinction between the Church and Israel? When does God’s wrath begin? When does God’s wrath begin? How is the Church protected from God’s wrath? How is the Church protected from God’s wrath? Is the Church in Christ’s Olivet Discourse? Is the Church in Christ’s Olivet Discourse?

Review of the Tribulation 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Antichrist as leader of revived Roman Empire Antichrist as dictator of the world

Posttribulational Rapture The Tribulation Period Rapture of the Church Return of Christ 3.5 Years

Varieties of Posttribulational Theology Classic Posttribulational Theology Classic Posttribulational Theology J Barton Payne, Imminent Appearing of Christ J Barton Payne, Imminent Appearing of Christ Tribulation period is spiritualized and applied to the Church, so that it can be both past and an ongoing present reality. Tribulation period is spiritualized and applied to the Church, so that it can be both past and an ongoing present reality. Second coming is imminent. Second coming is imminent. Semi-classic Posttribulational Theology Semi-classic Posttribulational Theology Alexander Reese, The Approaching Advent of Christ Alexander Reese, The Approaching Advent of Christ Church is already in the Tribulation, but some aspects are still future. Church is already in the Tribulation, but some aspects are still future. Because some prophetic events remain to be fulfilled, second coming is not imminent. Because some prophetic events remain to be fulfilled, second coming is not imminent. Blurs distinction between Church and Israel Blurs distinction between Church and Israel Futurist Posttribulational Theology (Most Popular) Futurist Posttribulational Theology (Most Popular) George Eldon Ladd, The Blessed Hope George Eldon Ladd, The Blessed Hope Tribulation is a literal, future 7 year period, with Christ returning at the end. Tribulation is a literal, future 7 year period, with Christ returning at the end. Blurs distinction between Church and Israel Blurs distinction between Church and Israel Dispensational Posttribulational Theology Dispensational Posttribulational Theology Robert H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation Robert H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation Tries to maintain distinction between Church and Israel, but not consistent Tries to maintain distinction between Church and Israel, but not consistent Rapture takes place just before Battle of Armageddon. Rapture takes place just before Battle of Armageddon.

Common Arguments for Posttribulationalism Church is made up of saints of all ages; since there are saints in the Tribulation period, Church must be in there. Church is made up of saints of all ages; since there are saints in the Tribulation period, Church must be in there. Reply: Not all believers are in the Church; Church and Israel are distinct. Reply: Not all believers are in the Church; Church and Israel are distinct. There is only one resurrection for believers of all ages, and it takes place at the very end of the Tribulation (Rev 20:4ff). There is only one resurrection for believers of all ages, and it takes place at the very end of the Tribulation (Rev 20:4ff). Reply: First resurrection is made up of multiple phases (1 Cor 15:22-24). Reply: First resurrection is made up of multiple phases (1 Cor 15:22-24). Day of the Lord begins with the return of Christ to the earth at the beginning of the millennium; rapture must occur here also. Day of the Lord begins with the return of Christ to the earth at the beginning of the millennium; rapture must occur here also. Reply: Day of the Lord, and its associated tribulation, begins after the rapture (1 Thess 5). Reply: Day of the Lord, and its associated tribulation, begins after the rapture (1 Thess 5). Church is in Christ’s Olivet Discourse; rapture takes place after the Tribulation (Matt 24:29-31; 40-42). Church is in Christ’s Olivet Discourse; rapture takes place after the Tribulation (Matt 24:29-31; 40-42). Reply: Christ’s Olivet Discourse is in response to the disciples’ questions about the future of Israel; though the Church has been mentioned in Matt 18 as something future to be built by Christ, it does not yet exist at the time of this discourse! Reply: Christ’s Olivet Discourse is in response to the disciples’ questions about the future of Israel; though the Church has been mentioned in Matt 18 as something future to be built by Christ, it does not yet exist at the time of this discourse!

Partial Rapture First propounded by Robert Govett in First propounded by Robert Govett in Only the faithful in the Church will be raptured and resurrected at the time of Christ’s coming for the Church. Carnal Christians are raptured progressively during the tribulation as they become righteous, so that the tribulation period is a time for disciplining believers toward holy living. Only the faithful in the Church will be raptured and resurrected at the time of Christ’s coming for the Church. Carnal Christians are raptured progressively during the tribulation as they become righteous, so that the tribulation period is a time for disciplining believers toward holy living. Reply: This obscure and little-held theory is based on a false distinction between believers in the Church. It confuses passages that refer to Israel as referring to the Church. It subjects some believers to God’s wrath. Finally, 1 Cor 15:51 says “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (See also 1 Thess 5:10). Reply: This obscure and little-held theory is based on a false distinction between believers in the Church. It confuses passages that refer to Israel as referring to the Church. It subjects some believers to God’s wrath. Finally, 1 Cor 15:51 says “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (See also 1 Thess 5:10).

Mid-Tribulational Rapture 3.5 Years Beginning of Sorrows (not The Tribulation and not God’s Wrath) The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Seal and trumpet judgments take place during first 3.5 years. Only bowl judgments take place here.

Arguments for Mid-Trib Rapture The last trump of 1 Cor 15:52 is the same as the 7 th trumpet in Rev 11:17. The last trump of 1 Cor 15:52 is the same as the 7 th trumpet in Rev 11:17. The “midst of the week” in Dan 9:27 is tied to the removal of the restrainer in 2 Thess 2:7. The “midst of the week” in Dan 9:27 is tied to the removal of the restrainer in 2 Thess 2:7. The rapture of the two witnesses in Rev 11:12 is symbolic for the rapture of the whole Church, since both Church and witnesses are called “Olive Trees” (Rom 11:13-25; Rev 11:4). The rapture of the two witnesses in Rev 11:12 is symbolic for the rapture of the whole Church, since both Church and witnesses are called “Olive Trees” (Rom 11:13-25; Rev 11:4). Reply: All of these are very tenuous and subjective connections that do not adequately deal with the respective passages in their own contexts. Reply: All of these are very tenuous and subjective connections that do not adequately deal with the respective passages in their own contexts. The seal and trumpet judgments are only the “beginning of birth pangs”; the Church escapes the Great Tribulation of the last 3.5 years. The seal and trumpet judgments are only the “beginning of birth pangs”; the Church escapes the Great Tribulation of the last 3.5 years. Reply: Seal and trumpet judgments are part of God’s wrath in the seven-sealed scroll...wrath from which believers are promised to be delivered (1 Thess 1:10; 5:9). Reply: Seal and trumpet judgments are part of God’s wrath in the seven-sealed scroll...wrath from which believers are promised to be delivered (1 Thess 1:10; 5:9).

Pre-Wrath Rapture 42 months 21 months Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation (Satan’s wrath) Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church occurs 21 months before end of the week, before breaking of 7 th seal. Return of Christ Day of the Lord (God’s wrath) 21 months

Arguments for Pre-wrath Rapture God will cut the Great Tribulation short (Matt 24:21-22) and bring it to conclusion before the seventieth week is concluded. God will cut the Great Tribulation short (Matt 24:21-22) and bring it to conclusion before the seventieth week is concluded. Reply: Scripture is clear that this period lasts 42 months; “cut short” here means “limited”...perhaps less than what the world deserves. Further, this position replaces the Great Tribulation with something worse! Reply: Scripture is clear that this period lasts 42 months; “cut short” here means “limited”...perhaps less than what the world deserves. Further, this position replaces the Great Tribulation with something worse! The Olivet Discourse is addressed to the Church and the rapture is in this discourse. (See Mid-trib position above). The Olivet Discourse is addressed to the Church and the rapture is in this discourse. (See Mid-trib position above). The rapture is not imminent, until the Church begins experiencing severe testing by the Antichrist. The rapture is not imminent, until the Church begins experiencing severe testing by the Antichrist.

Next Week: Rapture Systems – Part II Syllabus pp Benware pp