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Fall/Winter 2003
Are You A Pretribber?
nyone who dedicates the time to engage a systematic study of the doctrine of the Rapture will come away from the text mentally challenged by the event. Why? That God would choose to reconstruct a spirit based body like Christs for the disembodied spirits of His righteous dead and raise them heavenwardwhile at the same time snatching and changing immortal His embodied churchis mind-boggling. Hear about it in the congregation or some other teaching venue and we say, I believe it. Let it come. But take the time to actually study the prophetic event, and the concept so transcends our mortal understanding that it rattles around the brain pan before sliding down into the spirit where the miraculous makes sense. Nevertheless, the mind-boggling event will happen. Just as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, someday the born-again Christian church will be resurrected and raptured when the Father says, Come. But just exactly when and why it will happen has provoked a three-way debate over its timing and theology for years. Will it happen because of the Great Tribulations deliverance, or as its reward? Who will be here? And, when, and why, will the Rapture trump blow? In last quarters issue we examined the basic principles of hermeneutics. In this issue we took a closer look at key word connection and literal intent. If youve studied both of these articles (Interpreting the rules of Revelation and Key Word Hunting the Inductive Way), you should be well equipped to take on this first rapture position through the eyes of Gods observable, literal intent. Could you be a pretribber? You decide. RAPTURE from the Latin word: RAPIO, to seize or be carried away in ones spirit. New Testament Greek: HARPAZO to be caught up. There will be many people remaining in the world who call themselves Christians. In the last days leading up to this mass disap-pearance, known to us as, the Rapture, many claimed to be true disciples of Christ. But only those who by faith and with all their heart truly believed that Jesus was the only son of God and was the only way to salvation [will be] taken away in this rapture. Left Behind
"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is
your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55 Pretribulationalism From: Rapture Get Right or Get Left, and Gods Master Performance by Hilton Sutton, pp. 55; 65, 66. If you search for a single verse of Scripture which states specifically that the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ and the catching up of the Church is prior to the Tribulation, your search will be in vain. There is no such verse. But by studying the whole of Gods Word (which you should do), you will discover that the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ is a certainty. The taking up of the Church to meet Him in the air is for sure, and it very definitely comes before the Tribulation Period can begin. In Revelation 1 we read that John, when in the Spirit, heard a Voice from behind which sounded like a trumpet. He turned to discover Jesus, from Whom the Voice had come. In Revelation 4:1 we read of a second encounter. Again John hears a Voice which sounds like a trumpet. When it speaks, he is immediately in the Spirit and in heaven at Gods throne. Although John was not taken bodily to heaven in the same manner described in Second Corinthians 12:2, his spiritual experience began with the same event awaiting all believers: a rapture. Johns experience parallels the Rapture of the Church described by Paul in First Thessalonians 4:16,17. Notice that John, according to Revelation 4:1, was looking or watching, and the Voice which he heard commanded him, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. The things he would later witness could only take place after his arrival in heaven, again showing wonderful agreement with Luke 21:36: ("But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man").
Other chapter 4 revelation applied in support of this view includes the pretribulationalist belief that the twenty-four throneroom elders seen by John in Revelation 4:4 were representative of an already raptured church.
Proponents believe their white garments and crowns represent the overcomers rewards promised the raptured church. And that once John arrives in the throneroom, he witnesses with them Revelations remaining events. The positions foundational belief in the churchs absence during Revelations eschatological events is further supported by interpreting the kept Philadelphia church as symbolic of the last days Body of Christ.
Pretribulationalists believe the coming temptation from which the symbolic last days Philadelphia church is yet to be kept, will be the coming Antichrists Great Tribulation. Christs keeping is believed to be our removal by rapture. Jesus
Messianic eschatology applied to the position consists mainly of His closing prophetic admonition contained in Luke 21:36:
Paul
Pretrib Pauline eschatology includes the apostles warning regarding the coming of the Antichrist and his restrainer in 2 Thess-alonians 2:6-8:
The church is the Antichrists restrainer, this position maintains, and must be taken out of the way by rapture before he can be revealed to the world. Finally, believing the church will be gone during Revelations eschatological events, the pretib position applies Pauls statements in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 and Romans 5:9 as indicative of our absence when it comes.
This position applies by far the most free interpretations. So lets take it apart. Does the Pretrib Position Have an Eschatological Trumpet? Possibly. In reference to Johns command to come up here, the angels voice that spoke it in verse 1 is likened unto a trumpet. But could it be the last trumpet? Not if you count them chronologically in Revelation. In a sequence of the text, this one, would be first. Was John Literally Raptured in Revelation 4? Possibly. The Rapture will be bodily, and verse 2 says: ...immediately I was in spirit and behold a throne was standing in heaven. John was literally commanded to come up from where he was to Gods heavenly throneroom. Also, the Greek text in this verse reads without a definite article (the), reading literally, in Spirit. It is therefore possible to freely associate this statement with the change of a bodily rapture. But because the Rapture isnt literally defined, there are some other in Spirit options to consider. Key Word Searching in Spirit The stream of revelation through which John experienced and recorded his prophetic record, in Spirit, is recorded four times in Revelation. Considering the context and events in every Revelation instance these key words are used leaves open the possibility that Johns 4:2 raptured state is possible. But it is just as possible in a consistent inter-pretation that both Johns body and spirit remained residentially on Patmos as Jesus by the Spirit (through prophetic revelation) disclosed the future to him. Heres the hermeneutic why: Of the four times Johns in Spirit experience is disclosed in Revelation, he first sees a prophetic vision of Jesus and the books seven churches while receiving his commission to write (1:10). The second time he is commanded to come up and sees Gods heavenly throneroom (4:2). His third and fourth in Spirit experience include the key phrase and ‘He carried me away in the Spirit. In one of these in Spirit experiences, he sees the great harlot church persecutor of the Eschaton (17:3). In the other he views the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven (21:10). In everyone of these key word searches, it is evident that John sees something. Whether or not his second in Spirit experience consisted of a bodily rapture is a literal unknown. It is possible, particularly in light of his command to come up here. But because the Word of God isnt literally bound to the pretrib Revelation 4:1 rapture position, it is a free inter-pretation and must be regarded as such. What is literally bound in a scientific observation of the text are four individual in Spirit revelations that John saw and recorded in his book. So if John was raptured bodily in this throneroom instance, it is implied, and possible, but not a literal fact. Was Johns Vision of the Twenty-four Elders
in Revelation 4
A Glimpse of the Raptured Church?
It is possible. It is just as possible, however, that the robed, crowned saints viewed by John were the disembodied spirits of the elders inside Gods heavenly throneroom because the New Covenant blood of Jesus had opened Gods holy of holies (Heb. 10:19). An elder (Strongs 4245, Arnt and Gingrich 699D presbuteros) is an individual person older of two, a senior member or ‘first one of the church. In this simplest literal assessment, they could have been a mix of Old and New Covenant leaders from the earliest times of the church. Are Their Crowns and Thrones Indicative
of an Already Raptured Church?
Possibly. Both 2 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Peter 5:4 describe a future crowning of the saints that will occur when Jesus Christ returns. Paul speaks of an eschatological crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:
James speaks of a crown of life
for those who persevere under trial:
Revelation 2:10 speaks of a crown of life apparently awarded to the overcoming church at the point of a Christians tested approval and death:
It is probable that Pauls reference to that day on which the crown of righteousness will be bestowed relates to the Bema Seat of reward. Peters reference to the Chief Shepherds appearing (Stongs 5319, Arnt and Gingrigh 852D phanero: to make actual and visible, be revealed) could also refer to eschatologys post-rapture day of reward. James' crown of life, however, has no key word connections to that eschatological event. So it is just as possible that the elders crowns (Strongs 4735, Arnt & Gingrich 676A stephanos: a mark of royal or exalted rank) seen by John were bestowed at their individual judgments when they ascended to heaven at the time of physical death (Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). Old Testament priests wore them (Ex. 29:6). So do kings (2 Kings 11:12). And since the church is identified as both priests and kings in Revelations text (Rev. 1:6, KJV), it would only be natural to see them on the church elders in Gods throneroom.
Therefore, to presume the crowns seen by John on the twenty-four elders in Gods throneroom could only be on a raptured church is a free interpretation and must be regarded as such. Do the White Garments Worn by the Elders
Speak of the Last Days Raptured Church?
Not necessarily. Typical of the righteous acts of the saints, white robes are given to the Tribulation saints in Revelation 6:11 (Strongs 4749, Arnt & Gingrich 769C stole: long-fitting gown, robe, as a mark of dignity). Theyre also promised the Sardinian and Laodicean church for overcoming in Revelation 3:5 and 3:18 (Strongs 2440, Arnt & Gingrich 376B himiation: raiment, robe, vesture). There is a bestowal of robes that occurs just before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. If the fine clean and white linen (Strongs 1039, Arnt and Gingrich 148D bussinos: fine linen for prominent people) viewed by John on the elders are those spoken of in this passage, the principle of Chronological Ascent could confirm this pretrib assertion.
But the language is different and would presume that no saint in heaven at the moment wears a righteous robe of white. You decide. Does the Philadelphia Admonition in Revelation
3:10
Apply to the Eschatological Church?
Applying the hermeneutc principal of
General and local Truth to this pretrib interpretation, the answer to
this question, is, probably, NO.
Revelations Local Historic Truth The seven Asia Minor churches addressed by Jesus in Johns revelation were seven literal local churches under the apostles care. Each church has an actual location. As for their history, Revelations seven letters provides each with its own as addressed. Any claim stating the church in general passed through periods symbolic of the seven is unverified by history. All had pressing matters that were stifling Gods earthly affairs. So Jesus addressed them prophetically. History teaches the Roman Emperor Neros persecution of 64 to 67 A.D. took the lives of the apostles Peter and Paul. (Foxe, John, Foxes Book of Martyrs, Old Tappan, Spire Books, 1978, p.13.) At the time of Revelations writing in 96 A.D. the church was under-going another intense persecution. This time, by the Roman Emperor Domitian, beginning in 95 A.D. Like his predecessor, Nero, Domitians persecution was infused by tyrannical rage and would remain in full swing for two years beyond Revelations writing. (Hurlbut Jesee, D.D., The Story of the Christian Church, Nashville: Zondervan, 1970, p. 44.) Church tradition teaches Domition tried to kill John in boiling oil but that the apostle was supernaturally protected. So the Emperor exiled him to Patmos where John received his revelation. ("Foxes Book of Martyrs," p. 13; Halley, H.H, Halleys Bible Handbook, Nashville: Zondervan, 1965, p.761.) Thousands of other Christians lost their lives during this period. The hermeneutic principle of local truth would therefore maintain that the coming hour of temptation from which Jesus would keep His faithful 96 A.D. Philadelphia church would not come from the Antichrist figure some two thousand years after Johns writing. It would come, in all probability, from the Emperor Domitian 96 – 98 A.D. Keeping by Rapture?
In accordance with a literal, local interpretation, the keeping Jesus promised the Philadelphia church..."Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth was not by miraculous rapture. Tereo is the Greek translation of keep used in this passage, meaning to watch over, to guard from loss of injury by keeping an eye on, to be preserved, to attend to carefully (Strongs 5083, Arnt & Gingrich 814D). So the context and implication of its use in Revelation 3:10 lends itself more to the Phila-adelphians covenant preservation in the midst of their coming trial, not their physical removal. Is the Antichrists Restrainer Revealed
in 2 Thessalonians 2
the Holy Spirit Indwelt Church?
And Will We First Have to Be Removed Before the Antichrists Public Appearance?
Because the restraining he acknowledged in this passage isnt literally identified, any interpretation of just exactly who or what he is must be acknowledged as a free interpretation of the text. Us ? or Him? But there is an important theological question that needs ad-dressing when assessing the pretrib positions belief that the church is Satans ultimate restrainer. Scripture is indisputable in revealing that Christs body has received His command to bind Satan on earth and continue Gods work of salvation in the authority of Jesus name (Matt. 16:19; Mark 16:17). But, ultimately, it is Jesus Himself Who is Satans restrainer in heaven and earth.
Church history also begs the question: If the church is Satans ultimate restraint, what was lacking in the first-century church headed by Peter, James, and John that allowed Satan to exterminate it? What lack of authority did they suffer that our twentieth-first century church doesnt? And what of our brethren in modern gospel-unfriendly countries who have been martyred for their faith? Why couldnt their faith restrain the scourge of their antichrist? These are simple local truth history questions that must be taken into account when building a rapture doctrine on the basis of the churchs antichrist restraint. The study of systematic theology, ecclesiology, and history disclose more accurately that it will be Jesus Christs own authorization in the fulfillment of Gods redemptive plan that will make room for the Anti-christs reign of terror. Short-lived though it will be. Because Jesus is upholding all things by the Word of His power (Heb. 1:3), He will simply release the Word of His power in stepping out of Satans way. The effects will be as if a police force were to go on strike in a high crime area, permitting the event.
Adding to its church restraint position, pretribulational rapture proponents claim that once the church is raptured, the Holy Spirit will leave the earth with us to stay completely out of world affairs. This ass-ertion is not only arrogant, it is contradicted by the fact that the tribulation saints who lose their life in the midst of the Tribulation era will need the Holy Spirits presence to be saved once the Tribulation begins. Therefore, even if His own Tribulation authorization would include the rapture of His church, it is hermeneutically evident that it is God, in response to, and independently of His praying church, that restrains Satans work in the world. A Different "Last" Trumpet? In defense of the pretrib positions Revelation 4:3 first not last trumpet timing ingredient, position proponent Hilton Sutton asserts that the trumpet of God prophesied by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, and the last trumpet blown by the angel in Revelation 11 are not one in the same. He applies a key word search in his hermeneutic position so it deserves objective consideration.
From RaptureGet Right or Get Left, p. 67. All seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation are angelic trumpets which release some part of Gods wrath or bring about events involving the Tribulation Period. (The Church will not have any part in the Tribulation Period, as a study of the whole of Gods Word bears out). In 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul is talking about the trumpet of God. Trumpet calls are mentioned a number of times in the Scriptures. In these references, God uses His trumpet as part of the welcome for the conquering and overcoming church. What a glorious event that will be! If the trumpet of God and the seven angelic trumpets are in fact different revealed trumpets, Sutton could be right. In line with this key word search, though, there must also be provision for interpreting the great trumpet that will blow after the Tribulation. This, after all, is what hermeneutics is all about. You decide. Eschatology Today Conclusions In support of this most popular of the three rapture positions Revelation 4:1 snatching up of the church, an allegorical mix of nonliteral interpretations are applied to its discerning of the text. The position is dependent upon a belief in the symbolic nature of Johns prophetic revelation in general, including his chapter 4 throneroom visit in reference to the Rapture of the church.
Is a Revelation 4:1 Church Rapture Possible?
Yes. But the weight of a completely literal interpretation of last trumpets in Pauls 1 Corinthians 15:52 prophecy provides as a timing ingredient fights against the principle of Chronological Ascent. In a sequence of trumpets in the text the angels voice that sounds like a trumpet in Revelation 4:1 sounds as the first. Could the Twenty-four Elders Viewed
by John in Gods Throneroom
Be Symbolic of the Eschatons
Raptured Church?
Yes. They could be the crowned saints wearing the robes of righteousness awarded in Revelation 19 at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. But in the simplest literal assessment of Johns view, they could have been a mix of Old and New Covenant leaders from the earliest times of the church. An elder (Strongs 4245, Arnt and Gingrich 699D presbuteros) is an individual person older of two, a senior member or ‘first one of the church. James crown of life for the one who preservers under trial once he has been approved (1:12), and the white garments the Sardinian and Laodicean church were promised in Revelation 3:5 and 18 could be awarded before the Bema Seat. Also, crowns and robes are worn by priests and kings (Ex. 29:6; 2 Kings 11:12). And since the church is identified as both in Revelation 1:6 (KJV), it would only be natural to see them on the church elders in Gods throneroom. So to interpret the twenty-four as the post-raptured church is a free interpretation and must be considered as such. Is the Philadelphia Church Promise
of Keeping from their Hour of Testing A
General Rapture Promise to the Church?
Probably not. The hermeneutic principle of local truth reveals the coming hour of temptation from which Jesus would keep His faithful 96 A.D. Philadelphia church would not come from the Antichrist figure some two thousand years after Johns writing. It would, in all probability, come from the Emperor Domitian 96 – 98 A.D. Is the Antichrists Restrainer Revealed
in
2 Thessalonians 2:8 the Holy Spirit
Indwelt Church?
The Scripture is indisputable in revealing that Christs body has received His command to bind Satan on earth and continue Gods work of salvation in the authority of Jesus name (Matt. 16:19; Mark 16:17). But, ultimately, it is Jesus Himself Who is Satans restrainer in heaven and earth. Church history also begs the question: If the church is Satans ultimate restraint, what was lacking in the first-century church headed by Peter, James, and John that allowed Satan to exterminate it? What lack of authority did they suffer that our twentieth-first century church doesnt? These are simple local truth history questions that must be taken into account when building a rapture doctrine on the basis of the churchs antichrist restraint. Even if the Church Is Raptured in
Revelation 4:1
Will the Holy Spirit Be Removed with
Us
During the Great Tribulation Period?
No. This assertion is not only arrogant, it is contradicted by the fact that the tribulation saints who lose their life in the midst of the Tribulation era will need the Holy Spirits presence to be saved once the Great Tribulation begins. Where
the Word of God Is Bound, So Are We So, what do you think? Could you be a pretribber? This most popular of the three rapture positions applies by far the most free interpretations. But as you will discover when assessing the other positions, all three, because of a lack of conclusive evidence are simply theories. We at Eschatology Today leave the evidence that points toward one or another in your hands. You decide. Now, take a break. Then when youre ready, take your Bible and look over each of the pretribulational rapture positions hermeneutic assertions again to divide the literal from the nonliteral to develop your own conclusions. Dont take our word for it. Study. This is what Eschatology Today is all about. If you believe in a Revelation 4:1 rapture, be ready to defend it in Scripture. Knock off that bit when someone asks you to explain it: ...Well, uh, er, because that's what Ed Eschaton believes. And you know as well as I that he really knows this stuff! Come on...knock it off! Then when you're ready, move on to our next position critique, Rapture Right or Wrong: Are You a Midtribber? Mark Norris
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