In Defense of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture

By Mark Becker, 12 August, 2008

In Defense of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By: Mark A. Becker

This essay is a follow-up to some of the concerns expressed in the feedback from my article '2012-2015 and the Second Coming.' [1]

I would first like to take this opportunity to say that this subject is not a 'Salvation' issue. As a matter of fact, Salvation is the only issue, of any concern, in the Christian life. The rest is what I like to refer to as 'Extra Credit.'

A dear friend of mine does not believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and I reassured her (not that she needed it) that there is no prerequisite to being 'snatched up' other than the total belief and faith that results in the acknowledgement, acceptance and surrender to the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord over all.

I never the less related to her that when the Rapture occurs that I would be looking for her with the expectancy of seeing a pleasantly surprised look upon her face!

Where's The Beef?

I am about to address some of the concerns in regard to the 'Pre-Tribulation Rapture' doctrine that I, and others subscribe to. These concerns have been voiced by those who offered feedback to the above mentioned article.

Trumpets

Question/Comment: Mark, you give this scripture (I Corinthians 15:51-52); 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. -- As the scripture says, it is NOT just any trumpet, but the LAST trumpet that we will be changed. (EPHASIS READER)

Are you sure there are no other Trumpets? The ensuing verses I cite in the article is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18:

"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. Therefore encourage each other with these words." (Emphasis Mine)

Please take note that in this passage it is the 'trumpet call of God' and the Trumpet is being blown by the 'voice of the archangel.' In the book of Revelation the Trumpets are being blown by angles announcing the coming judgement upon mankind - The wrath of God.

I believe the trumpet that Paul is referring to has nothing to do with the Tribulation period; it is solely for the Rapture of the Church. It is the 'mystery' trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, and indeed is the last trumpet for the Church.

We can find this Trumpet in Revelation. Notice that right after Jesus addresses the 7 Churches of Revelation chapters 2-3 something unique happens and is totally compatible with Paul's above mentioned verses:

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." - Revelation 4:1-2 (NIV) (Emphasis Mine)

This is John's revelation of the Rapture given to him by Jesus. Notice that this was immediately following Jesus' address to the Church and just prior to the Tribulation period that John was caught up to Heaven - with the Church never to be mentioned again.

The Parable of the Weeds

Question/Comment:( Matthew 13:24-30, 13:36-43) 24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28 " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29 " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: FIRST COLLECT THE WEEDS and tie them in bundles to be burned; THEN GATHER THE WHEAT and bring it into my barn.' " Notice that the harvest is one event and not two. But even more important the weeds are gathered first not the saints.- Jesus explains this parable, 37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE, and the harvesters are angels. 40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 THEN THE RIGHTEOUS will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.-- Jesus shows us here that the harvest is one event not two and the saints are gathered AFTER the weeds.. (EMPHASIS READER)

Thank you so much for your question/comment. I have never really done a study on 'The Parable of the Weeds' before, and quite honestly, it was very enlightening for me.

For the sake of fluidity, I am going to address both passages separately.

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
" 'The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
" 'An enemy did this,' he replied.
"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" - Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV)

First, please consider that a parable is defined as follows. [2]

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin parabola, from Greek parabole comparison, from paraballein to compare, from para- + ballein to throw - more at devil - Date: 14th century
: example; specifically : a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle

We know who the players are from our next passage (Matthew 13:36-39). I would add that the 'wheat' is the sons of the kingdom / righteous / Christian / Church.

Notice that the bundles of 'weeds' are waiting to be burned and are still on the earth. Jesus' focus is on the 'wheat' in this parable - The 'bringing of the 'wheat into the barn.' This is the Rapture of the Church.

But, before the 'wheat' is brought into the barn, the 'weeds' are bundled up to be burned. This is because the Lord is separating false converts from the true converts within the Church. Marking those who belong to Him and preparing them for the Rapture. Those who are not within the Church are also represented by the 'weeds.'

Scriptural reference: The separation of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46); resulting in bringing the 'wheat' (true Believer's) into the barn (Heaven through The Rapture) and the soon judgement of the wicked.

Note: Some may ask, "Why is the wedding banquet of Revelation 19:6-10 after the Tribulation period?" I would suggest to you, that it is due to the fact, that the Bride of Christ could never rejoice until the 'Tribulation Saints' [1] were present for the celebration.

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." - Matthew 13:37-43 (NIV)

Notice how Jesus changes the topic in His explanation. In the parable he is focused on the 'wheat' and in His explanation He is focused on the 'weeds.' In the parable He does not mention the 'end of the age,' in His explanation, He does. Although I would personally consider the time period from the Rapture to the New Jerusalem (approximately 1007 years or so) to be the 'End of the Age.'

Here this 'harvest' represents the Great White Throne Judgement as the 'weeds' are being thrown into the 'fiery furnace' (Revelation 20:11-15).

[Another possible expansion on this harvest is Revelation 14:14-20. These verses also tells of a harvest, known here as the great winepress of God's wrath (Revelation 14:19b). One could say that Revelation 14:14-16 is a harvest for the righteous, and if it is, it is not the Church, it is the Tribulation Saints. It would have to be a separate harvest as the first harvest was for the 'wheat' to go into the barn and that has already happened in Revelation 4:1-11. I personally think that Revelation 14:14-20 is symbolic of 'God's wrath,' but as always, let the reader decide.]

In Retrospect

1.    The evil are put into bundles (being separated out from the Church) preparing them for the Tribulation period, and ultimately - if they do not convert - their judgement.
2.    The righteous will be harvested (The Rapture).
3.    The evil will be harvested in the 'Great White Throne Judgement' and will be thrown into the fiery furnace.
4.    The righteous (Church and Tribulation Saints) will live forever with Christ.

The Temple

Question/Comment: Mark, you say there will be a third Jewish temple. There is one pictured in Ezekiel, but how do we know this is a physical building. Think about this; why did Jesus destroy Herod's temple after He died for us on the cross. After Jesus shed His blood to pay for the sins of all, it was a supreme insult to what Jesus had done for mere men to be offering the blood of bulls and goats to pay for their sins. Jesus had the temple destroyed to stop this insult to His sacrifice. I do not see why he would let them rebuild the temple to start this insult to His blood up again. The temple has been being rebuilt from the day Jesus died until now. We are the temple. It is a temple of living stones and the builder is God and not men. There is no tool used on any of these stones. They are prepared and fitted into place by the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus. There is no way for man to build a temple like this. Unless the Lord builds the house it is built in vain. This temple will have no end to it and will be taken to heaven for all eternity. What need is there for another temple built by men.
While it is true that the temple of the Jews and the sacrifices that took place there were ultimately fulfilled in the shed blood of Jesus - it is also true that the Jews, as a nation and a people, reject that fulfillment. In their eyes, the orthodoxy of Judaism still reigns supreme while Redemption and Salvation stand aloof as they await the 'Conquering King.'

Just because we as believers know that a Jewish temple is 'old school,' doesn't mean that God's chosen people know the same. In fact Scripture is quite frank when it come to Israel's unbelief.

"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in." Romans 11:25 (NIV)

The Altar

For those of you who still may not be convinced that the Church does not go through the Tribulation, consider Revelation 6:9-11 (NIV):

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw sunder the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

Again, why is the Church not mentioned here? Why, after five seals have been opened, are there souls under the altar? Who are they and what do they represent? And, where are all the rest of the souls? Those who weren't 'slain?'

They are the Tribulation Saints who have died, so far, in the Tribulation period. 'Slain' either by the hand of anti-Christ or by the 'wrath of God.' Notice the passage says 'word of God.' Not only of their faith in the Word of God, but also in the fact that they have to endure the Tribulation period - because they missed out. They have to abide in the path of God's wrath. Either way, they have been 'slain' for the very faith they rejected before the Rapture.

Those under the altar are revealed in Revelation 7:1-17.

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from?"
I answered, "Sir, you know."
And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." - Revelation 7:13-14 (NIV)

The Tribulation Saints would know what was going on as soon as the Rapture took place - because of us, the Church. What we taught; what we lived; and what we left.

These are those, whom we pray for every day - today - who just never get around to getting serious about their need for God. Who pass it off as some sort of fantasy; but secretly, inside, they have a spiritual battle going on.

These are they - that are under the altar.

Escapism?

I've heard it said that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine is nothing short of 'escapism.' This may surprise the reader; I unequivocally agree.

I'll let Scripture elaborate.

Old Testament Pictures of The Rapture

'Escape' From Death
Enoch: Genesis 5:21-24
Elijah: 2 Kings 2:1-12

'Escape' From God's Wrath
Noah: Genesis 6:1 - 8:22
Lot: Genesis 18:16 - 19:29
Jonah: Jonah 1:1 - 1:10
Nineveh: Jonah 3:1-10

'Escape' From Man and Satan's Wrath
The Exodus: Exodus 7:1 - 12:42
Crossing the Sea: Exodus 14:1-31
Deliverance of the Jews: Book of Esther
Daniel in the Den of Lions: Daniel 6:1-28
The Fiery Furnace: Daniel 3:1-30

These are just a few examples of God providing 'escape' for His people. All pictures of the Rapture.

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." - Psalm 27:5 (NIV)

"Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him." - Zechariah 14:5b (NIV)

New Testament Scriptures Pertaining to The Rapture

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angel in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." - Matthew 24:36-41 (NIV)

Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV) The Parable of the Ten Virgins

"and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." - 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NIV)

"For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?" - 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NIV)

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV)

"Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." - Revelation 3:10 (NIV)

Quite frankly, it is this 'blessed hope' that all believers should long for. Jesus, being the 'Groom,' and the Church the 'Bride,' leaves me with the hope of redemption from the Father's wrath. The Father's wrath was not intended for His Son's Bride.

Many might ask, 'What makes this generation so special? Christians have been persecuted, tortured and killed since the Church's inception.' Yes, this is true. There is a huge difference though - they were enduring the attacks of men and demons. The Tribulation period is the 'Wrath of God.' I am confident, through God's Word, that the Bride will be saved out of God's wrath by her precious Groom!

Conclusion

I would be remiss, if I didn't address the concerns addressed in the feedback regarding Hal Lindsey.

I will summarize my characterization of the man this way:

- I have never personally heard of any quote by Mr. Lindsey, either publicly or by way of media, that implies he has ever made a prediction predicated on a 'revelation' from God. -

Many individuals who are Christ centered, like myself, spend a many waking hours wondering about where we're headed; why we're going there and what the ramifications would, could and should be in light of Biblical prophesy. This is not a sin. We are to know the times and signs and I would add, with no anxiety; we know the end and are living in victory. We can't do that without study, biblical meditation and most importantly, prayer. Proclaiming that "God gave me a word", and that 'word' not coming to fruition, is a sin. I have yet to see proof that this is the case with Hal Lindsey.

Even if it was validated, I would not reject my beliefs based upon such heresy. I will let God's Word be the last word.

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am Coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen - Revelation 22:20-21 (NIV)

JJB