As an orthodox Lutheran I’ve never believed in Rapture/Left Behind pre-millenial dispensationalism (emphasis on sensationalism).
However, I didn’t realize until recently that this doctrine is often very harmful and leads to a bunch of other dangerous theological ideas and rabbit trails.
A former Evangelical who was raised on Rapturized theology but eventually became Lutheran has been enlightening me week by week, on the radio program Issues, Etc.
Just last week he discussed this very subject. If anyone is interested, go to the link below and listen. Then you can search the archives for “Wolfmueller” and find other interviews he’s done on various pitfalls of Evangelicalism... he knows from personal experience and years of deep study.
LINK:
Responding to Evangelical Prooftexts: The Secret Rapture in Matthew 24:36-42 – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller, 2/24/15
http://issuesetc.org/2015/02/24/2-responding-to-evangelical-prooftexts-the-secret-rapture-in-matthew-2436-42-pr-bryan-wolfmueller-22415/
LCMS here and strongly pre trib. I do not find the pre trib position harmful but rather very comforting and enlightening to a lot of scripture I had not previously understood.
There are may different eschatalogic positions, and none lead to error or rabbit trails more than any other. We will never be sure until the events occur which is correct, but I am excitedly awaiting the return of my Savior.
Maranatha
Consult www.pre-trib.org if you want scholarly articles and studies defending the doctrine.