Edward Wood

The Case for Pretribulation Rapture

By Edward Wood

There remains among good and faithful people disagreement over exactly when the Rapture will occur. It is unfortunate this has caused division amongst Christians at a time when the fundamentals of our faith based on the authority of Scripture are under attack on a daily basis by the rest of the world. The thing is, I think we can all agree is that one day all believers, living and dead, will be instantly taken from this earth and gathered together to meet Jesus in the air (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).This grand reunion with the Lord which is to come is guaranteed. So, if we can all agree with that and respect each other's points of view as to the timing of this wondrous event relative to the last years of this age, I think we'll have made some major progress in standing together against the forces of this world which would like nothing better than to drive us apart.

For my own part, I have found that the concept of the Rapture occurring before the seven year Tribulation period best reconciles what would otherwise appear to be contradictory parts of Scripture. But, as always, I strongly encourage each one of you who reads this commentary to study God's Word for yourselves and reach your own conclusions. So, without further delay, let's explore the case for the Pretribulation Rapture of the church.

1) Jesus said his coming would be unexpected (Matthew 24:36-44) and he advises us to "Watch" (Mark 13:28-39). Now this certainly contrasts with his return at the end of the age (which concludes with the seven year Tribulation period) that will be unmistakable and seen by the whole world (Matt. 24:27). Also we know that 3 1/2 years into the Tribulation the Antichrist sets up the "abomination of desolation" in are built Jewish temple and proclaims himself as "God" (Daniel 9:27;11:31-32). We do see from Daniel 7:25-27 that the Antichrist will also prevail against the saints for 3 1/2 years before being destroyed. Similarly we see mentioned again a 42 month period in Revelation 13:5-7 of the "beast" blaspheming God and warring against the saints. This is likewise the same amount of time given during which Israel flees into the wilderness and finds refuge, most likely at Sela, better known as Petra (Isaiah 16:1-4).

Note that this is not to be confused with the events mentioned in Daniel, chapter 8 concerning a similar "transgression that makes desolate." This appears instead to refer to the actions of Antiochus IV (a descendant of Seleucus, one of four generals who succeeded Alexander the Great). He first had the high priest assassinated around 171 B.C. and installed one of his own choosing. In 168 B.C. he sacrificed swine on the altar. He also had a statue of Zeus bearing his likeness erected. The temple was finally restored and cleansed by the Maccabees in 165 B.C. during which a one day supply of consecrated oil miraculously lasted for eight to keep the menorah lit. This event is commemorated to this day by Jews as Hanukkah - the Festival of Lights. Please note that this does not contradict Daniel 8:8:14 which gave the length of time of the defilement as 2300 "days. The term translated as "days" here actually means "evenings\mornings" (Zondervan KJV Study Bible). This is the same idea as in Genesis chapter 1 wherein an evening and morning are "one day." Dividing 2300 by two, we get 1150 days - a little over 3 years which is correct!

The "desolating sacrilege" that Jesus mentioned (Mark 13:14-20) is accompanied by the admonition that it will occur during a time that will be so terrible that if it wasn't shortened, even the "elect" would be lost. Clearly this refers to an event of the future, and not that of Antiochus' era in the past. Therefore the Scriptural accounts which describe both an unexpected return of Jesus and those in which the time of his return is clearly defined are actually describing two different events. The former is most likely that of the Rapture while the latter is that of the Second Coming.

2) Jesus will call the dead and living to meet him in the air (1Thess. 4:13-18). I believe that he will take the church away to spare its members the horror on the Tribulation for the following reasons:

1 Thess. 5:1-9 - God hasn't destined us for wrath but for salvation.
1 Thess. 1:9-10 - Jesus saves us "from the wrath to come."
Rev. 3:7-13 - The church of Philadelphia will be kept from the "hour of trial." Though this was an actual church located in Asia Minor when John wrote Revelation, this particular one likely also represents the "missionary or true church," consisting of all those persons through the last 2000 years involved in believing and spreading the Word without distortion regardless of their denominational affiliation (or lack thereof). I think that Jesus is telling us here that the people who are the "Philadelphians" of all places and times will be saved from the "trial" of the Tribulation.

3) The Tribulation begins only after the Antichrist comes to power (Daniel 9:27). I don't believe this can happen while the church is still here (2 Thess. 2:1-12). The Holy Spirit was first given to the apostles on the day of the resurrection (John 20:19-23). Fifty days afterward they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit after which they spoke in tongues to the devout Jews and proselytes (converts to Judaism) gathered together for the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:1-11). Now all those who accept Jesus become the temples in which the Holy Spirit takes up residence (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I believe it is the presence of this Spirit which presently inhibits the Antichrist from coming to power. Once the Spirit-filled believers in Jesus are gone, Satan's power to deceive humanity will greatly increase (2 Thess. 2:3-12). Also, consider this: Matt. 5:13 [Jesus said] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [Bracketed section added.] Remember that salt is not only a flavor enhancer but also a preservative. If we consider the presence of believers as the "salt" which keeps the world from completely from falling into Satan's hands, it is easy to imagine what kind of place it will be once they are gone. All that'll be left are nonbelievers, including those who may have called themselves Christians, but were never really saved at all. Since the Holy Spirit is instrumental in giving many gifts, including discernment (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 12:8-11) without his presence, it seems reasonable that the Antichrist's power to deceive humanity will greatly increase (2 Thess. 2:3-12). Still, since God is omnipresent, he will continue working to save people throughout the Tribulation, perhaps in the same manner in which he operated in the Old Testament times. Scripture tells us that 144,000 Jews will come to Christ in those last seven years (Rev. 7:1-8) along with a great multitude from all other nations (Rev. 5:9-11).

4) Jesus spoke of his Father's house of many mansions which he is preparing for his followers, and that he will come again and take them to himself (John 14:1-3). The Bible's chronology suggests that first Jesus brings his followers - both those who had died and those who are living at the time of the Rapture - to be with him in his Father's house. After this at some point the seven years of the Tribulation will begin leading to the Antichrist's rule on earth. Next, the Tribulation concludes with the Battle of Armageddon which Jesus returns personally to end (Rev. 19:11-21). Note that he is accompanied by the "armies of heaven clothed in white linen." I think these armies ("hosts") are composed of members of the church which were taken in the Rapture, the 144,000 converted Jews (Rev. 7:4-8), the saints killed during the Tribulation (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 20:4-6), the twenty four elders (Rev. 4:4) accompanied by angels as well. Now the Antichrist and his mouthpiece, the false prophet (an Anti-Elijah), are cast into the lake of fire and Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit for the 1000 years of Jesus' Millennial Kingdom. At the end of that period, Satan will be released and will try once more with his allies to oppose Jesus. This is actually the second Gog-Magog Campaign (Rev. 20:8-9) which should not to be confused with the first one as described in Ezekiel, chapter 38. Satan's forces are immediately destroyed by God and he is cast forever into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:7-10) where the Antichrist and false prophet were placed 1000 years earlier (Rev. 19:20). The Great White Throne Judgment will then occur during which all the evil people of history will be resurrected and likewise condemned to the fiery lake along with Death and Hades (Rev. 20:11-15). After this, God will create a new earth and new heaven completely free for all time of any taint of sin or evil. Into this new universe and onto this new world God will come in the New Jerusalem to dwell forever (Rev. 21:1-27; 22:1-5).

5) A substantial point favoring the church's absence during the Tribulation is that it is not mentioned at all in Revelation, chapters 4-18 while the judgments are being unleashed upon the earth. Where did it go? Interestingly in Rev. 4:4 we are told of the twenty-four elders with crowns surrounding God's throne. This is the first time they are ever mentioned in the Bible. Who are they? Perhaps they are the twelve sons of Israel and the twelve apostles, but regardless of their identities, they appear to be glorified human beings. If we take a look at Rev. 5:4-3 we're told that "no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth" was worthy to open the seals of the book that would begin the judgments to be poured upon the earth. Only Jesus could do that. According to this passage, clearly there are people in heaven at the time the sealed scroll is brought forth - and not just as souls such as those of the Tribulation saints who are waiting under the altar for God to avenge their deaths (Rev. 6:9-11). The elders "sing a new song" to Jesus praising him because he "hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:91-10). Again this indicates that Jesus had already redeemed vast multitudes from the earth making a place for them in his Father's house, just as he promised in John 14:1-3. Furthermore, in Revelation, chapter 19, we see the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) to the Bride (the church -Ephesians 5:24-32). This Bride is clothed in white linen, which indicates righteousness derived by belief in Christ and is obviously already present in heaven before Jesus' Second Coming. This answers the question as to how the saints can be part of the armies of heaven which will accompany him (Zechariah 14:2-9) when he returns to defeat The Antichrist and his forces at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21).

6) There are historical precedents of God removing righteous people from harm's way. Two which come immediately to mind are the rescues of Noah and his family from the Flood (Genesis, chapters 6-9) and Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis, chapters 18 - 19). It seems reasonable to believe he will do the same for those who believe in Christ before the Tribulation comes as well (1 Thess. 1:9-10).

7) There are two prominent Rapture-like events from the Old Testament. Enoch was "translated" or taken directly by God (Gen. 5:22-24, Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah was carried away in a whirlwind by a chariot and horses of fire (2 Kings 2:9-11).
From the New Testament we have the most prominent of all. Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives into the clouds after his resurrection (Acts 1:9).

8) In Luke 21:28 Jesus said, "And when these things [referring to the signs he mentioned previously] begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. " [Bracketed section added.] It is interesting to note that Jesus indicated that our redemption would be near when the signs BEGIN, not midway through them or at their conclusion. Additionally, he said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). I believe that we are presently living in that time and experiencing the beginning of "all these things" that the Lord mentioned. This is further evidence that by trusting in him we will escape the horrors of the seven year Tribulation which is to come and that the time we will see him face to face is indeed very near!

9) Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church (Matt. 16:18), but in seeming paradox we see a point during the Tribulation where the Antichrist does overcome the saints (Dan. 7:25-27; Rev. 13:3-7). Let me offer a possible explanation that might resolve this apparent contradiction. Despite the constant presence of heresies, there have always been people who did not waver from the truth in an unbroken line back to Jesus' and the apostles' teachings. These "Philadelphians" (Rev. 3:7-13) will be taken when the Rapture occurs.

When this happens, the 2000 year link will have been broken for the first time in history. Those who come to Christ during the Tribulation will essentially be starting all over again against tremendous adversity, even worse than the original church faced at its beginnings. The Antichrist will truly prevail against these saints right up until the Second Coming of Jesus. It is the souls of these who are martyred that appear under the altar in heaven (Rev. 6:9-11), as mentioned previously.

Now what is the purpose for the Tribulation? To me it seems not to be a time of punishment only, but of God's last attempt to get through to humanity. To be sure, God's offer of salvation will still be open to the Gentile world, but the emphasis appears to be to bring Israel to the point where they will at long last recognize Jesus as the Messiah and to fulfill their original role to spread God's Word throughout the world, a task that had temporarily been assigned to the Christian Church after they had rejected him. Though many people of Israel and the other nations will be converted (Rev. 7:9-17), unfortunately most still will not.

Those who have already accepted Jesus during their lives before the Tribulation, on the other hand, need no further convincing. Yes, God is patient, wishing that all would find him (2 Peter 3:9) but the Bible teaches that he won't wait forever. Stiff-necked, hard-hearted people will always continue to refuse to be reached even in the face of overwhelming evidence (Isaiah 6:9-10, Daniel 12:10).

Now might I be incorrect about the timing of the Rapture? Of course, it's possible. Yet, as I've already said, it does seem that its occurrence prior to the onset of the Tribulation provides the best reconciliation of Scriptures that at first glance appear contradictory. It's true that the prophetic books of the Bible can be pretty enigmatical times, but the more we study them, the more we can understand with the Holy Spirit's help.

No one should feel badly if he or she can't understand everything because even Daniel didn't understand all that he was seeing. In fact, he said: And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white; and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; But the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:8-10)

As the time of the events that Daniel and the prophets described approaches, their words which they received from God (or were spoken by Jesus who IS God!) become increasingly understandable. In fact, the book of Revelation specifically pronounces a blessing on those who read it (Rev. 1:3), and I think it is accurate to say that this applies to all who study God's Word with an open mind and heart. Every day we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will speak to us and give us wisdom and discernment we need. So when Jesus does come to call, we will certainly be able to recognize his voice and follow!