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)
