Extra-Biblical Evidence for the Pre-Trib Rapture

Unsealed.org ^ | 4/1/15 | Gary

[amessenger4god]

We have addressed the accusation before that the pre-trib rapture theory was invented by a Scottish girl named Margaret MacDonald in the early 19th century.  This is now widely known to be factually incorrect and in fact there are numerous references to a pre-trib rapture in late 18th century American writing, as well as contemporary (at that time) Catholic writings such as Manuel Lacunza's The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty.

Additionally, Chuck Missler has brought to light a writing from "Ephraem the Syrian" (b. 306; d. 373 AD) where this early Church deacon wrote in unequivocal language the following:

"For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins."

Now it has been charged that the above quote was not written by Ephraem himself, but a later writer possibly posing as Ephraem (called Pseudo-Ephraem).  This is possible, even likely, but is almost irrelevant as the writing was not made any later that 627 AD.  This means that the pre-tribulational rapture was positively taught no later than the early 7th century.

Other even more ancient writings have recently come to light as well.  Including from Cyprian:

"We who see that terrible things have begun, and know that still more terrible things are imminent, may regard it as the greatest advantage to depart from it as quickly as possible... And do you not give God thanks, do you not congratulate yourself, that by an earlier departure you are taken away, and delivered from the shipwrecks and disasters that are imminent... Let us greet the day which assigns each of us to his own home, which snatches us hence, and sets us free from the snares of the world, and restores us to paradise and the kingdom."

Cyprian died in 258 AD, so his above treatise had to have been written even before that year.  But far more amazing than Cyprian's quote, is Iranaeus' Against Heresies.  Iranaeus was only once removed from John himself (John likely being the very person who wrote down the Book of Revelation).  In Book 5, chapter 29, Iranaeus wrote:

"And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, There shall [then] be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.  [Matthew 24:21] For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. [1 Corinthians 15]"

Even in the context of the larger chapter, the very next thing that occurs in Iranaeus' timeline after the Church is "suddenly caught up" is the revelation of the antichrist.

All these references aside, the rapture itself is plainly taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.  This verse alone proves that there will be a rapture event (unless, without justification, you want to interpret this verse symbolically).

And the timing of the rapture as pre-tribulational may be unequivocally taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 if apostasia is translated "departure".

In any case, while only time will tell and God alone knows how things will pan out, there are numerous reasons to confidently hold to a belief in the pre-trib rapture, not least of which is that Biblical scholars pretty much unanimously agree that the early church, both before and for awhile after 70 AD, believed almost universally in the imminent coming of Christ... an event that would come suddenly.

[ravenwolf]

Yep I could give you the same ones you have already gotten a hundred to a thousand times, but you paid them no mind.

Are you a Christian?
do you believe what Jesus said?

John 6
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day

44 No man can come to me, unless the Father who sent me, shall draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Very plain, the dead in Christ shall rise first and Jesus said plainly that he would raise them at the last day.

When is the last day?

Matthew 25
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

[SkyDancer]

Fun ain’t it ...? Get to meet new folks ...

[CynicalBear]

It is fun! Lot’s of neat folks for sure! It’s fascinating to see the different points of view.

[SkyDancer]

It’s okay so long as people don’t get too “spirited” ... nice calm chatting is best ....

[mitch5501]

"I find that studying and understanding prophesies leads to peace."

Amen CB!

If you think about it,folks go to the Doctor because he tells them what's going to happen and what must be done about it.Imagine a woman who has zero knowledge about pregnancy all of a sudden experiencing birth pangs.If she had no idea what to expect then those pains would likely be panic inducing.

Likewise Jesus tells us "before it comes so that when it comes ye might believe that I am He" and rather than blind panic it will be rejoice for your redemption draws nigh!

!2 Timothy 1:7,8 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..."..."...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10

Says it all!

[Roman_War_Criminal]

“Where does it say Christ “slays every ungodly person” at the end of the tribulation?”

Matthew 13 and Luke 19 talk about this “end of the age”—this age prior to the Millennial reign. They aren’t going to just go on living since the King will rule with an iron fist at this point.

“Or that Christ takes away all of His people, never to return to Earth?”

They clearly return with Christ in Revelation 19 & 20 to reign with Him.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

We’re living in interesting times. I wouldn’t expect anything less than a complete destruction of America (be it Rapture/War) since this country is nowhere to be found in Prophecy.

[Lee N. Field]

Extra-Biblical Evidence for the Pre-Trib Rapture

At least he sees it's extra-biblical.

[Boogieman]

“Matthew 13 and Luke 19 talk about this “end of the age”—this age prior to the Millennial reign.”

Where is your evidence that “end of the age” refers specifically to the time before the millennium?

It seems to me that the events described in the passages that you cite are the same as the ones Revelation talks about happening after the millenium, in more specific detail. Why should we rely on passages that speak in parables with a vague reference to time in favor of the detailed passages with a more specific timeline?

[Iscool]

We’re living in interesting times. I wouldn’t expect anything less than a complete destruction of America (be it Rapture/War) since this country is nowhere to be found in Prophecy.

I agree with that...And it still wouldn't be as bad as the coming wrath of God...

I'm about 7 miles from a known target of the Ruskies...I hope that's close enough to take care of things...I wouldn't want to live on the outskirts of the aftermath of such an event...

[CynicalBear]

>>It’s okay so long as people don’t get too “spirited” ... nice calm chatting is best ....<<

In religion or politics? Surely you jest!

[CynicalBear]

>>Likewise Jesus tells us "before it comes so that when it comes ye might believe that I am He" and rather than blind panic it will be rejoice for your redemption draws nigh!<<

Amen! There are many who fall for false prophets and false teachers because they don't know the prophesies.

[imardmd1]

This is not the Great Tribulation that will come 3.5 years after the harpadzo when fifty pound ice rocks will fall from the sky, the ocean will be bloody, and people covered with sores.

[dartuser]

Some....may go screaming....holding onto the Earth I fear.

And those of us who have been patiently waiting ... we promise not to give it the 'ole 'I told you so' on our way up ...

With the possible exception of the preterists ... we will be entitled to harass them for the seven years in heaven lol ...

But none of us will care at that point ... 'we will forever be with the Lord'

[cuban leaf]

Yep. This is why it’s all opinion. But some opinions have more “literal” support in the bible than others. E.g. pre-trib sees the ascending of John in Revelation 4 as a “symbol” of the rapture before the Great Tribulation. Mid-tribbers see it as Revelation 7, where it actually describes vast numbers of people who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Regarding the “two” returns of Jesus, there are two, sort of. The first is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. But it is not really the “first”. The important thing to note is that Jesus has not really returned to earth yet. When, after we are caught up with him, do we set food with him again on earth? That is debatable.

I used to really get into this subject with people back in the 80’s and 90’s. I really do take the “pan-trib” position now. If I was a betting man I’d bet on Mid-trib, but I wouldn’t bet the house.

The important thing is that it is clear that there WILL be a “rapture” and He WILL return. And the REALLY important thing is that He died and was resurrected as the perfect sacrifice that made my salvation possible.

But the thing is, there is so much

[Boogieman]

“Yep. This is why it’s all opinion. But some opinions have more “literal” support in the bible than others.”

No, only one has literal support. We know from 1 Thes. 4 that the living can’t precede the “dead in Christ”, so there can’t be a rapture before the resurrection, and Revelation 20 places that resurrection after the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation. It’s right there, in no uncertain terms. If we ignore these certain statements of the Bible and instead try to focus on vaguer passages that might be construed in other ways, then we are not trying to interpret the Bible, but rather change the message of the Bible to suit our own wants.

“Regarding the “two” returns of Jesus, there are two, sort of. The first is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “

Okay, we know this event happens after the tribulation, because, as I said above, it can’t precede the first resurrection described in Rev. 20.

“But it is not really the “first”. The important thing to note is that Jesus has not really returned to earth yet. When, after we are caught up with him, do we set food with him again on earth? That is debatable.”

Yes, of course he has returned, because the events of Rev 19 directly precede these events, and in those verses, Jesus descends from heaven and destroys the armies of the beast.

[Boogieman]

I swear, some of these inane theories make Jesus sound like a celestial elevator. Down to earth, up to heaven, down to the clouds (but then stop, we have to go back up again), then back down to earth. I’ll stick with the sequence that the Bible describes and avoid these convolutions. He came, He’s in Heaven now, He will return.

[SkyDancer]

Exactly. I’ve heard of some ultra-fundamental churches that excommunicated people who’s belief in the Rapture deviated from what they taught ... pre, mid, end doesn’t matter.

[CynicalBear]

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

[Boogieman]

I fail to see the relevance of your verse, who is scoffing about the promise of his coming?

I don’t see any preterists on this thread.