The Essential Arguments of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

The Essential Arguments of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Following are 25 salient apologetics for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture position. While only a few of these are powerful enough to sway the argument in and of themselves, these arguments taken in their entirety present an overwhelming body of reason that is not easily (and certainly not logically) contraverted. Although there still remain a few problem passages which are not interpreted easily, it must be remembered that proper hermeneutics neither builds a doctrine on isolated scriptures, nor discards truth taught clearly based on these same isolated scriptures.

1. The literal method of biblical interpretation

All other methods must spiritualize either the entire tribulation period into historical events, or must at the very least spiritualize the specific prophecies of the first 3 Ð... years of the tribulation to make room for the rapture at some period during the tribulation.

2. The nature of the seventieth week

Wrath Revelation 6:16-17, 11; 18, 14:19, 15:1,7, 16:1,19

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 5:9, Zephaniah 1:15, 18

Judgement Revelation 14:7, 15:4, 16:5-7, 19:2

Indignation Isaiah 26:20-21, 34:1-3

Punishment Isaiah 24:20-21

Hour of Trial Revelation 3:10

Hour of Trouble Jeremiah 30:7

Destruction Joel 1:15

Darkness Joel 2:2, Zephaniah 1:14-18, Amos 5:18

All of the above scriptures speak to the tribulation in it's entirety, not just the "great tribulation", or the last 3 Ð... years.

3. The scope of the seventieth week

The Time of Jacob's Trouble Jeremiah 30:7

Wrath poured out on the whole earth Revelation 3:10, Isaiah 34:2, 24:1-21

Daniel's prophecy states that seventy weeks are determined on YOUR people. The first 69 weeks occurred before the church was even in existence. The church is pointed out as a mystery (Ephesians 3:1-6, Colossians 1:25-27), and as such was hidden in the Old Testament, and could not have been the focus of any Old Testament prophecies. Since the church could have no part of the first 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy, there is ample reason to understand that it could have no part of the final week either. This week is reserved for the culmination of god's program with Israel.

4. The purpose of the seventieth week

a. An hour of testing (wrathful judgement) for those that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10 The Greek word for "dwell" in this passage is katoikeo, which has a strong message of a permanent abode. A Christian could be residing on the earth (oikeo), or even sojourning on the earth (paroikeo), but he would never katoikeo on the earth. This is also the term that is used of the Holy Spirit taking up permanent residence in our heart in Ephesians 3:17.

b. A preparation of Israel for the coming of her King

Malachi 4:5-6 prophesies the coming of the prophet Elijah to prepare the way of the Lord before the "great and terrible day of the Lord". This ministry is typified by the ministry of John the Baptist - verified at the word of Jesus in Matthew 11:14-15. This is a ministry that is inappropriate to the church. (See Ephesians 5:25-27)

5. The unity of the seventieth week

Although the seventieth week of Daniel is clearly divided into two portions for the purpose of chronology of events; Daniel 9, Matthew 24, and Revelation 13, give us no leeway to divide this week for any other purpose. Nowhere in scripture is the seventieth week presented in any light other than unity in nature, character, and purpose.

6. The relationship of the church to Christ

a. The Church is the body of which Christ is the head Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, Colossians 1:18

b. The Church is the bride, of which He is the bridegroom 1 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23

c. The Church is the object of His love Ephesians 5:25

d. The Church is the branch of which He is the root and stem John 15:5

e. The Church is the building of which He is the foundation and cornerstone 1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22

Therefore, observing that the church has been brought into a oneness with Christ, and cannot by it's very nature be separated from Him, it cannot enter into Daniel's 70th week; for to do so would subject it to the same wrath and judgement which is to be meted out to those whose home is the earth. Since it is seen that the Church has been perfected by the sacrificial work of Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and that it has been delivered from all judgement (Romans 8:1, John 5:24, 1 John 4:17), it's presence under the wrathful hand of god is impossible.

7. The concept of the church as a mystery

The Church is manifestly an interruption in God's program for Israel, which was not revealed until Israel rejected their Messiah during His incarnation. (Ephesians 3:1-7, Romans 16:25-27, Colossians 1:26-29). It logically follows that this "mystery program" must first be brought to conclusion before God can resume His program with Israel.

8. The distinction between Israel and the church

Lewis Chafer, in his book "Systematic Theology", sets forth twenty four contrasts between Israel and the church which show conclusively that these two groups can not be united into one, but that they must be distinguished as two separate entities with whom god is dealing in a special program.

These distinctions, when seen as a whole, make it impossible to identify the two in one program, which is necessary to do if the church goes through the seventieth week.

9. The doctrine of imminence

a. The signs of the times which were given as events that would be seen as immediately preceding the second coming of Christ were given to the nation of Israel, so that the nation might be living in expectancy when the time of His coming should draw near. Although Israel could not know the day or the