The Rapture and Tribulation - Teaching Notes - 141004 Carpenter Flock

THE RAPTURE AND TRIBULATION

I.  Four views of the Christ’s return and the Millennium.

A.  Amillennial and Postmillennial -

B. Pre-millennial -

1. Historic

2. Dispensational

II. Basis for Pre-tribulationism. 

 “The Bible does not explicitly tells us the timing of the Rapture. Thus, no one verse tells us that the Rapture will be pre-tribulational (or mid-tribulational or post-tribulational for that matter).”  --Michael Vlach

• A more literal application of the historical-grammatical interpretation of the Bible.
• Distinction between Israel and the Church. “… a distinction between Israel and the church, as taught in the Bible, provides a basis of support for the pre-tribulational rapture. Those who merge the two programs cannot logically support the biblical arguments for pre-tribulationism." (Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, The Truth About The Rapture, pp. 25-26)”  --Michael Vlach
• Futurism. Pre-tribulationism takes a futuristic interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 and the book of Revelation.

III. The Rapture of the Church.

A. Imminent. (Luke 12:34; James 5:7-8 esp. 8; Revelation 22:10)

B. Pre-tribulation return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His Church from this earth. (Luke 12:40; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11, esp. 4.15-17)

C. To reward believers according to their works. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15: 2 Corinthians 5:10)

IV. The Tribulation Period - Following the rapture of the church…

A. The righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world.  (Daniel 9:24-27 esp. 9:24a, 27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16)      

B. Seven years of tribulation (The seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy). (Daniel 9:24-27)

C. These judgments will be climaxed by the bodily, personal return of Christ in glory to the earth. (Revelation 19:11-16)

D. At that time…

            1. The Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised.  (Daniel 12:1-2)

                            2. The living will be judged. (Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46)

V.  Applications.

A.  Comfort of sorrow with hope.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18)

      B. Constantly watch and be ready for the blessed hope. (Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2)