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Preaching a pre-tribulation rapture weakens the church

Joseph Grant Swank, Jr., is a pastor at New Hope Church in Windham, Maine, and is the author of five books and thousands of articles that have appeared in various Protestant and Catholic publications. He has BA and MDiv degrees, with graduate work at Harvard Divinity School.

Renew America, DC – June 22, 2008

Mark it down as biblical truth: There is no pre-tribulation rapture. However, untold thousands believe in the “secret rapture of the church” prior to the tribulation period. This is because untold thousands don’t want to have to think of suffering through a tribulation time frame. The late Corrie ten Boom called this pre-trib rapture teaching the “American doctrine.” Go figure. The belief in a secret rapture of believers before the tribulation is also because of a best-seller, “The Late, Great Planet Earth,” by Hal Lindsey which was set loose in the l960s. It has been a paperback aggressively pushed by practically every evangelical / fundamentalist engine going. Theologians, videos, films and preachers bolster up this myth with their earnest preachings and teachings. Yet this is nothing but a myth, accented as much by certain theologically conservative Protestant segments similar unto the Roman Catholic underlining of the immaculate conception of Mary. Nevertheless, if there is no biblical support for such a Mariology teaching, it is bogus. Likewise, the pre-tribulation rapture teaching is bogus. The pre-trib rapture concept was manufactured in the 1800s in an 18 year old Plymouth Brethren girl’s dream, told to her Pastor, John Darby, and then relayed to C. I. Scofield who bought into the dream as revealed truth. Scofield placed this pre-tribulation rapture notion as a footnote in his popular Bible, hence the spread of the myth. However, just the opposite is biblical truth. In Matthew 24:29-31, for instance, the rapture (“gathering together”) is placed in the same time frame as the open second coming of Jesus Christ. And all of this is “after the tribulation” (verse 29). That is it in a nutshell! Yet pre-tribulation rapturists sidestep this clear passage for more oblique passages. The latter are twisted and turned in order to fit into the “American doctrine.” Yet such twisting is not sound exegesis. And for biblically-riveted evangelicals and fundamentalists to commit this drastic error is bordering on the horrific. All other passages in Scripture relating to the “gathering together unto Him” must refer back to the literal time line provided by Jesus in Matthew 24. One must not use a symbolic passage in the Book of Revelation or any other symbolically-based section of the Bible by which to draw a pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. Further, one must not take words of the apostle Paul so as to insert them opportunistically into a conjured pre-tribulation string of Scripture references. Yet this has been done ad infinitum.

So, a Protestant minister and theologian has reported that the there is no pre-tribulation rapture, that this teaching is a myth, and that it hurts Protestants. He is correct on all of that.

The fruits of false doctrines are not good. In the case of the false pre-tribulation rapture, it gets people to think that they do not need to be concerned about prophecy, because God will pull them out before the Great Tribulation begins and place them in heaven. But this is false–and Jesus Himself said to “Watch” (Mark 13:37) and He listed many things to watch for–that many of the pre-trib rapturists overlook.

Believing in the pre-tribulation rapture gets people to not take the steps in their lives to prepare for what is coming in this age, nor the next. It gets people to accept false tradition over what the Bible actually teaches.

For additional proof of that, consider that in 2007, the late Dr. Tim LaHaye of the Left Behind series told Glenn Beck that Christians do not need to look for any other sign of the end coming other than his rapture:

BECK: So give me time line. Do these things happen in time lines? What should we be watching for?

LAHAYE: Well, first of all, we should be watching for the rapture. We should be looking for Jesus — the Bible is very clear, that`s the purpose of prophecy. They get us anticipating his coming, because when he comes and all the Christians are gone — and, Glenn, can you imagine what this world will be like with 2 billion missing people, that are all snatched up at one time, and because of their mutual faith in Jesus Christ and his resurrection?

Well, when that takes place, then this man of sin rises up…And he requires the mark of the beast and the chip that you talked about earlier …

The late Dr. Walvoord, also a “pre-tribulation rapturist,” perhaps more emphatically than Dr. LaHaye, wrote:

Therefore keep watch…to see the signs of the Second Coming indicating its approach, should be watching, how much more should those waiting for the Rapture, which has no signs, live in constant expectation of the imminent return of Jesus for His church.

…the Rapture of the church is always presented as the next event and, as such, is not dependent on immediate events… (Walvoord, John F. The Prophecy Handbook.  Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, pp. 384, 391)

Contrary to what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and elsewhere to look for, some Protestant leaders who believe in the “pre-tribulation rapture” are essentially telling people that they do not need to watch for anything other than the rapture as the rapture is the next prophetic event waiting to be fulfilled. It is also contrary to Revelation 11:15 which shows at the seventh trump, Christ will return: the fact of a seventh, presupposes that six transpired previously. There are definite signs before Christ’s return that have NOT yet transpired.

Those who teach a pre-tribulation “rapture” teach that Jesus will come once when no one will see Him except the Christians, and a second time to reign on the earth.

Pre-tribulation “rapture” proponents essentially teach that the verses that refer to Christ returning cannot be referring to the same return, hence they believe that theirs is the only biblically defensible position.

One of the more prominent pre-tribulation rapturists is David Jeremiah. Here are some comments from his website:

There are some who argue the Tribulation period will begin before the Rapture. However, the Bible says that “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), which suggests the Church will not experience God’s judgment during the Tribulation.

Seven years after the Rapture, Jesus will return to earth in the event known as the Second Coming. (David Jeremiah. What is the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming?  https://www.davidjeremiah.org/age-of-signs/what-is-the-difference-between-the-rapture-and-the-second-coming)

But he truncated Romans 8:1, which states:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

Some Christians do have problems walking too much in the flesh.

And as far as being subject to condemnation, if you read the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 you find that 5 of the 7 churches received some type of condemnation. Thus, David Jeremiah’s proof text here is in error–and at the start of the Great Tribulation MOST REAL CHRISTIANS WILL BE LAODICEAN AND SUBJECT TO VARIOUS PERSECUTIONS AND CORRECTION.

As it turned out, David Jeremiah succeeded Tim LaHaye as Shadow Mountain Community Church’s senior pastor in 1981.

So, let’s see something from Dr. Tim LaHaye and his writer Jerry Jenkins:

There are far too many conflicting activities connected with His return to be merged into a single coming…

Since we know there are no contradictions in the Word of God, our Lord must be telling us something here (LaHaye T, Jenkins J.  Are We Living in the End Times?  Tyndale House, Wheaton (IL), 1999, pp. 98.100).

Between the two statements above is a page listing 24 scriptural passages that the book indicates supports the pre-tribulation rapture and 22 of them supporting the second coming. However, the passages are not actually quoted, just listed.

To show that those supposed “pre-tribulation rapture” scriptures are NOT in conflict with a single return, at risk of seeming redundancy, in this section I intend to quote and comment on them all.  Furthermore, I intend to quote some passages that those authors left out.  I do agree with them that the Lord is telling us something, and amongst other things, it is that He is returning one more time—not that He is returning again 3 1/2 or 7 years later.

The authors listed John 14:1-3 as a “Rapture Passage.” It states:

1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The above passage simply states that Jesus has a place for His followers, that He will return, and that His followers will be with Him.  This has no discussion of when.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Romans 8:19:

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

The above does not mention any rapture and is not in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Corinthians 1:7-8:

7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Corinthians 15:51-53:

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed– 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Corinthians 16:22:

22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

Again, above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Philippians 3:20-21:

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Philippians 4:5:

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Colossians 3:4:

4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Thessalonians 1:10:

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Okay, finally there is a verse that at least hints that it could support a “pre-tribulation rapture.”  But this passage is not proof as it has a few viable alternative explanations.

The first is that while many throughout history have waited (and long since died) Jesus will deliver them from the wrath to come.

Which wrath?

If we let the Bible interpret itself, it would help to see where this expression “wrath to come” is also used in the New Testament. It is included in two passages where Jesus twice warned the Pharisees, all of whom have died, about the “wrath to come” (Matthew 2:7; Luke 3:7), thus this warning about the future wrath after the last resurrection (Revelation 20:13-15), it does not need to be speaking of the Great Tribulation. There is also the wrath to come on those that will fight against Jesus when He returns (cf. Revelation 19).

Secondly, pre-tribulation rapturists tend to claim that this is a statement that God would not put His wrath against His people. Yet, they forget that for the 3 1/2 years beginning with the Great Tribulation this is called the time of the “wroth” (KJV) of Satan against the church (Revelation 12:17).

God has allowed Satan to pour his wrath on various Christians through various persecutions throughout history (see Persecutions by Church and State), and since Jesus taught that persecution was prophesied for Christians (e.g. John 15:20), none should be surprised that even more persecution will happen for 3 1/2 plus years (e.g. Daniel 7:25).

Thirdly, even presuming that 1 Thessalonians 1:10 is referring to the Great Tribulation, the Bible shows that the most faithful of the Church (the Philadelphians of Revelation 3:7-13) will be protected in her place for “for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent” (Revelation 12:14) while they await Christ’s Second Coming (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra). Thus, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 is not a clear “Rapture Passage.”

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Thessalonians 2:19:

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The above is the “classic rapture” passage. And while it is comforting that Jesus will return, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Thessalonians 5:9,23:

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ … 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The explanation after 1 Thessalonians 1:10 also applies here. Furthermore, while the Greek term orge, translated as “wrath” is in one verse clearly associated with the tribulation (Luke 21:23), orge is most often used to refer to the end-time wrath/judgment (John 3:36; Romans 1:18, 2:5, 3:5-6, 5:9, 13:4-5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6-7; Revelation 11:18, 14:10) of Revelation 20:13-15—hence it seems unwise to insist that the Great Tribulation is being referred to in 1 Thessalonians 5:9. It should be noted that there is another Greek term thumos sometimes translated into English as “wrath” (NKJV), but it does not seem to mean the same thing as orge seems to be more destructive.

Even if it is referring to the Jesus’ second coming, recall that Jesus taught that, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). Jesus will stop the wrath of destroying all flesh from the Earth because of the elect, not because of some pre-tribulation rapture that will apparently not happen.

But the pre-tribulation rapturists simply are overlooking too many scriptures here. Their implication is that the wrath is the Great Tribulation, hence Christians must be delivered from that. But they ignore that this is not the case.

Notice the following:

25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

The above clearly shows that during the time of the Great Tribulation, the SAINTS are given into the hand of the Beast power. They are not spared from his wrath. The Bible essentially calls this the “patience of the saints” in Revelation 14:12. Furthermore, while the Philadelphians are promised protection from this hour, the other Christians in Revelation 2 & 3 do not get this offer of protection, instead they face the time of Great Tribulation:

Thyatira … I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts (Revelation 2:18,23).

Sardis … Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you (Revelation 3:1,3).

Laodiceans … As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:14,19).

The above are all part of “the Church” yet they are subject to suffering, chastisement, and death during the time of the Great Tribulation. Being protected from the “wrath to come” is NOT referring to a pre-tribulation rapture, which Jesus never taught, but instead the wrath to come that Jesus warned the Pharisees, etc. about, which is the time the Bible calls the “second death” in Revelation 20:6; 20:14; 21:8.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 2 Thessalonians 2:1.  However, it left out the next three verses which actually DISPROVE the “pre-tribulation rapture” position:

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Notice that above passage states that the man of sin is to be revealed BEFORE Jesus comes and that Paul is warning Christians not to be deceived by others who teach otherwise.  Hence this clearly disproves the “pre-tribulation rapture” position.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Timothy 6:14:

14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

The above does not mention any rapture and is not in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 2 Timothy 4:1,8:

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom …

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Not only does the above does not mention any rapture (nor is it in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming) it specifically refers to Christ judging at the appearance of His kingdom. His kingdom begins at the beginning of the millennium AND NOT prior to the Great Tribulation. Why the “pre-tribulation rapturists” would list this as a “Rapture Passage” is bizarre as it is in conflict with their position.

Do they really think that Jesus will only “judge” those who meet Him in the sky?

10 … “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:15-18)

If 2 Timothy 4:1 is referring to the Second Coming (which it is), then this would show that Jesus will judge when He comes down to earth to establish His kingdom. This verse, like all those supposed “Rapture Passages”, simply includes events that are associated with the Second Coming, not a pre-tribulation rapture almost coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Titus 2:13:

13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Hebrews 9:28, but they failed to also list the preceding verse which I will include below:

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Not only does the above does not mention any separate rapture (nor is it in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming) it specifically refers to Christ judging at the appearance of His kingdom. This is consistent with 2 Timothy 4:1,8.  Since Jesus’ kingdom begins at the beginning of the millennium AND NOT prior to the Great Tribulation, why the “pre-tribulation rapturists” would list this as a “Rapture Passage” is bizarre as it appears to be in conflict with their position.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was James 5:7-9:

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

Again, another judgment passage, which not only does not mention any rapture is not it in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming.  And can only occur then.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Peter 1:7,13:

7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Not only does the above does not mention any rapture (nor is it in conflict with occurring at the Second Coming) it specifically refers to faith being tested, which it clearly would be for those who made it through the Great Tribulation (whether specifically protected by God or not).

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 Peter 5:4:

4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Consider that the Bible clearly shows that Christians will reign with Christ for 1,000 years, hence they do not need a crown BEFORE the Great Tribulation (Revelation 20:4), but at the beginning of the millennium. Thus, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was 1 John 2:28-3:2:

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming, because it clearly is.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Jude 1:21:

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming.

The next listed “Rapture Passage” was Revelation 2:25:

25 But hold fast what you have till I come.

Again, the above does not prove a pre-tribulation rapture is not in conflict with being associated with the Second Coming.

The authors listed Revelation 3:10 as the last “Rapture Passage,” but I have also included verse 11 which they did not:

10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly!

What the above passage shows is that Jesus will keep the Philadelphians (see verse 7 of Revelation 3) from the “hour of trial” and that Jesus is coming quickly. If the rapture came prior to the “hour of trial” Jesus would more likely have listed that He was first coming and then He would keep them from the tribulation, but He listed the opposite order.

I, frankly, was shocked at how these falsely labeled “Rapture Passages” were claimed to be in conflict with “Second Coming Passages” as they simply are not in conflict. And several, frankly, contradict the false “pre-tribulation rapture” hypothesis.

Instead of actually studying their Bibles to seek the truth, it appears that most who have accepted a “pre-tribulation rapture” simply hope certain verses prove it and somehow differ from those that they feel are instead discussing Christ’s Second Coming. The truth is that Jesus is coming again, but not as the pre-tribulation rapturists falsely claim.

Now, there are other passages that some others point to try to prove that the church is ‘raptured away’ prior to the time of the Great Tribulation. One is 2 Thessalonians 2:7:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

They claim that the ‘He’ above is the church. This is in error for many reasons. But one to mention here is that references to churches in the New Testament with respect to some gender being associated with it are feminine (e.g. Ephesians 5:25-31; 2 John 1-2; 4-6; Revelation 12:14-17; 19:7-9). Thus, this is not a reference to the church being taken away. More on 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is in the article What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7?