"Three Views on the Rapture: Pretribulation, Prewrath, or Posttribulation" is a thought-provoking book (Counterpoints series) that delves into one of the most debated topics among Christians: the timing of the rapture. Authored by leading scholars, Douglas J. Moo, Alan Hultberg, and Craig A. Blaising, this book presents three distinct perspectives on when the rapture will occur in relation to the events of the end times.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
The book begins with an introduction that sets the stage for the discussion, explaining the significance of the rapture within eschatological theology and the diverse interpretations surrounding it. It highlights the importance of understanding the biblical passages related to the rapture and the need for respectful dialogue among believers who hold different views.
Pre-Trib
The pretribulation rapture view, presented by Craig A. Blaising, holds that believers will be taken up to heaven before the period of intense tribulation mentioned in the book of Revelation. This perspective asserts that the rapture is an event separate from the second coming of Christ, and that it will occur prior to the onset of the prophesied tribulation.
- Proponents of the pretribulation rapture view argue that this interpretation aligns with the New Testament's emphasis on the imminent return of Christ and the hope and comfort it provides to believers. They point to passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where Paul describes how the Lord will descend from heaven, and believers who are alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air. This catching away of believers, or the rapture, is seen as a moment of joyful reunion with Christ and the resurrection of deceased believers.
- Advocates of this view emphasize that the tribulation period, often associated with intense turmoil and divine judgment, is distinct from the church's experience. They argue that the purpose of the tribulation is to bring judgment upon the unbelieving world and to fulfill God's purposes for Israel, rather than to purify or refine the church. Therefore, believers are viewed as being spared from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9), taken away to be with Christ in heaven before the tribulation unfolds on earth.
- In support of the pretribulation rapture, proponents also draw from the early church's historical understanding of the rapture. They highlight writings from church fathers such as Ephraem the Syrian, who expressed belief in a two-stage return of Christ, with the first stage being a secret coming to rapture believers.
- Critics of the pretribulation rapture view raise various objections. Some argue that the concept of a pretribulation rapture is a relatively recent theological development and not widely accepted throughout church history. Others contend that the Bible does not explicitly support a two-stage return of Christ, as would be required by a pretribulation rapture, and that the passages cited can be interpreted differently.
- Despite these disagreements, the pretribulation...
