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A BIBLICAL STUDY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHING OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE THEORIES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS OF THE GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIZORAM
-Andrew Suikhawliana Tuallawt
A Thesis submitted to the faculty of Kerala Christian Theological Seminary, Mission Hill, Ayoor, Kerala, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF DIVINITY
by
ANDREW SUIKHAWLIANA
Reg.No. 38/2007
KCTS, Ayoor, Kerala
January, 2009
Mentor Evaluator
Raju.C.P B.D.M.Th
APPROVAL PAGE
A BIBLICAL STUDY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHING OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE THEORIES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS OF THE GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN MIZORAM
By
Andrew Suikhawliana
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
Degree of Master of Divinity
This thesis has been read and approved by the undersigned appointed for the purpose of the KERALA CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Mission Hill, Ayoor, Kollam (Dist.), Kerala
CERTIFICATE
This is certify that Mr. That Andrew Suikhawlina has done on the subject of “A Biblical study of the Fundamental Teaching of the Pre-Tribulation and Rapture theories with the special Emphasis of the Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram”, very well under my guidance. I am very much glad and satisfied with it and extent all the wishes for his future Ministry for God.
K.C.T.S Prof: C.P Raju, B.D, M.Th
Mission Hill, Ayur (Thesis mentor)
DEDICATION
This is effectionately dedicated WITH THE GREAT DEEP LOVE OF GOD to my beloved Father Rev. James Thiauva, B.Th., M.Div., my Mother Lenthiami, my Brother T.Shalomlala (B.Th), my Sister Lily Mawii (B.Th), all of my beloved brothers, sisters and all my relatives in our Lord Jesus Christ.
AcknoWledgment
I do acknowledge with my deep sense to the Kerala Christian Theological Seminary for granting me to study and gave me convenient occasion to get scholarship and good facilities in term of my study. I also deeply express one of my great gratitude to the Principal, Rev.Geroge T.Kurian, Academic Dean Prof.P.John, Registrar Prof. Bijumon V.P and all of the faculty member and staff of this institution.
I express my heartfelt gratitude toward my superintendent or supervisor Prof. Rev. C.P. Raju, B.D M.Th for his great commence, encouragement and shaped my thought or mind while writing this humble task. I also extremely express my joyfulness to Prof. A.S. Babu (Librarian) for granting me to use all of library books.
I especial word of thanks goes to our Belove Mrs. Luan Madam for finding out a lot of materials for the completion of my thesis. And I do want to acknowledge Prof. Rev. Edison Thomas for helping me by giving a good suggestion and commence for the accomplishment of this humble task.
As a matter of fact and at any rate I am by any means happy and merry to my own Church (Gospel Baptist Church of Mizoram) for helping me by prayers as much as possible for me to get the blessing of God. I also express award of appreciation to all my dear friends for retaining me in their personal prayer. And I really give thanks to all of my relative and my people in Christ for praying for my life.
I really want to accept and acknowledge with the greatest sincerity to my beloved parent Rev. James Thiauva, B.Th., M.Div and Mrs.lenthiami, for supporting me by financially and spiritually throughout all the occasion of my theological study.
Moreover all of my infinite gratitute and my greatest happiness be upon my Dear almighty living God for blessing my life and using my life for the extension of his kingdom and for bringing me up to this great position as well.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
APPROVAL PAGE ii
CERTIFICATE iii
DEDICATION iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
INTRODUCTION 1-3
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
HYPOTHESIS
METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER I
A GENERAL STUDY OF THE TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE 4-14
A The Meaning and DefinItion of Tribulation 4-7
1) The Meaning of Tribulation
2) Definition of Tribulation
3) The term of Tribulation
B THE MEANING AND DEFINATION OF RAPTURE 7
1) The Meaning of Rapture
2) Definition of Rapture
C A SURVEY OF THE TRIBULATION IN OTHER VIEWS AND 8-14
THEIR ARGUMENT WITH THE PRE-TRIBULATION
1) A Survey of the Tribulation in other view
a) The partial Rapture theory
b) The post-Tribulation Rapture theory
c) The Mid-tribulation Rapture theory
2) Their Argument of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory
a) An argument of the partial rapture theory
b) An argument of the post-tribulation rapture theory
c) An argument of the mid tribulation rapture theory
CHAPTER II
A BIBLICAL TEACHING OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION 15-30
AND RAPTURE POSITION
A The Significant Basis of the Pre-Tribulation 15-18
Rapture Position
1) Interpretative principal of Pre-Tribulation
2) The literal method of interpretation
B A Biblical Evidence of Pre-Tribulation 18-23
1) The time of Rapture according to I and II Thessalonians
2) The time of Rapture of the Church
a) According to Christ olive discourse
3) The time of the Rapture of the Church and passage on imminency
C The Pre-Tribulation Doctrine of imminency 23-25
D The Purpose of the Pre-Tribulation and 25-30
RAPTURE position
1) To receive His own people
2) The judgement seat of Christ and Reward
3) The marriage of the lamb of God
CHAPTER III
AN ARGUMENT OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION AND 31-47
RAPTURE POSITION
A A Biblical argument of the pre-Tribulation 31-42
AND Rapture position
1) Prove by the seventy week of Daniel
2) New Testament references proves the Pre-Tribulation
2) The promise of the exemption from Divine wrath proves the Pre-Tribulation and Rapture
B) HISTORICAL ARGUMENT OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION 42-44
C) Dispensational argument of the 44-47
Pre-Tribulation
1) Nature of the Pre-Tribulation
2) The concept of the Church as a mystery
3) The distinction between Israel and Church
CHAPTER IV
THE ORIGIN OF GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN MIZORAM 48-68
AND THEIR DOCTRINE OF RAPTURE AND TRIBULATION
A The origin of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram 48-51
1) The first establishment of Gospel Baptist Church in Aizawl Mizoram
2) The second establishment of Gospel Baptist Church in Zokhawthar Mizoram
3) The third Church establish in Khawzawl Mizoram
B Doctrine of Rapture and Tribulation according 52-66
TO the Gospel Baptist Church
1) Doctrine of Rapture according to Gospel Baptist Church 52-60
a) The structure of Rapture
b) The time of Rapture
c) The purpose of Rapture
2) Doctrine of Tribulation according to Gospel Baptist 60-66
Church
a) The fact of Tribulation
b) The time of Tribulation
c) The Chronology of Revelation
d) The purpose of Tribulation
e) What begins the Tribulation period
f) Who will be in Tribulation
EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION 67-68
INTERVIEW
Interview with Rev. Jamesthauva, 2008.
Introduction
As writer certainly know and clear that the hope and the joyfulness of the Christians is also the rapture of themselves with God. Thereby the researcher have studied about the pre-tribulation and rapture theory. The author have separated into four chapters. In every chapter the author have gone through the explanation one after one as clear as possible.
As it is separated into four chapter, in the first chapter the author has studied and dealt about the General study of the tribulation and rapture theory. It gave each of the meaning of tribulation and rapture. Moreover, the researcher dealt about A survey of tribulation in other views and their argument with the pre-tribulation.
In the second chapter the author have again dealt with about the Biblical teaching of the pre-tribulation and rapture position, A Biblical evidence of the pre-tribulation and rapture position. But in the third chapter the author dealt about each an argument of the pre-tribulation and rapture position. For the clearance of any confusion based on pre-tribulation and rapture.
But in the fourth chapter the author has dealt about the origin of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram and their believed Doctrine of Rapture and Tribulation. In this subject the author have separated into two points, point A and B. In the point A is dealing with an introduction on news about Gospel Baptist Church such as how their Church was established. But in the s point B.basically about the doctrine and belief of the Gospel Baptist Church base on the Rapture and Tribulation.
In the up-to-date world, there are a confusion of “A Biblical study of the Fundamental teaching of the Pre-Tribulation and Rapture theories with special emphasis of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram”. Even among the people who accepted Jesus Christ as their own king and Saviour for their like and worship God in the spirit and truth, due to that matter author really want to show the fact of this view or the reality and the curiosity of this subject.
Author also hope many people will come to know the real or the fact of the Pre-Tribulation and Rapture correctly through the study of this subject.
- STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
In this modern world, there are different types of pioneer workers among the Bible scholars about the pre-tribulation and rapture. And there are many argument on this two as well as there are many doctrines differently. Mostly the people believed that wrongly about this pre-tribulation and rapture, and its certainly have effected the people being in separately as well.
- HYPOTHESIS
The right study of this doctrine about the rapture theory and Pre-Tribulation, many of the Christian believers will be led in to the unity in Christ. And all the argument for this will be cleared to every one and bring many people into one through the study of this.
- METHODOLOGY
The present researcher referred a number of books such as, Lecture notes, Dictionary of the Bible, Commentaries, Bible website interviews and many other books which can be helpful for the completion of this thesis.
CHAPTER I
GENERAL STUDY OF THE TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE
Rapture and Tribulation are the two important doctrines of Eschatology; therefore it is important for the Christian. There are number of people questioned the times of these two. Therefore it is important to know the meaning of Rapture and tribulation along with their time.
A. THE MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TRIBULATION
The Tribulation period it the final seven years of God’s determined dealing with Daniel’s people the holy city to finish Israel”, transgression, to end Israel, sins and to make reconciliation for Israel iniquity.
1) The meaning of Tribulation
The Hebrew word most commonly translated as tribulation in the English Bible is Sara and its congnates. The root meaning is ‘narrow’ (cf.Nu.22:26) or ‘compressed’ (Jb.41.15) from which arises the figurative sense of straitened circumstances and hence, affliction, distress or tribulation (Dt. 4:30; Jb; 15:24; Ps.32:7; 15:63:9, John 2:2). The Lxx uses thlipsis (v6.thibo) to translate all the Hebrew terms within this area of meaning. The basic idea here is ‘several construction’, ‘narrowing’ or plessing together (as of grapes) (cf.Mt.7:14; Mk.3:9). Similar notions underlie the Latin tribulum (a threshing sledge), which is the source of the English word tribulation. The great bulk of the biblical references to tribulation are to sufferings endured by the people of God. The central and dominating factor in the biblical understanding of such suffering however is the mystery of the thlipsis of the Messiah (Col.1:24; Rev.1:9, cf.15:63:9).1
The Greek word for tribulation is ‘thlipsis,’ which means ‘pressing together’ or ‘out of’ not to exempt from tribulation. The noun form is rendered in variously from tribulation, the appointed season of ‘affliction’ persecution. The sore tribulation, which is coming on, the time of tribulation before Christ second coming. The tribulation bring out the fidelity of those kept by Christ hardens, the unbelieving reprobates, the particular persecution which befell Philadelphia shortly after were the earnest by the tribulation.
The tribulation heed is one of the major high ways of prophecy, according to Alton Bryanc
“ The tribulation is trouble of a general sort some times this suffering is just the natural past of once life. The great tribulation is a definite period of suffering from God upon earth at the end, this period of suffering will be unlike any other period on the past or future.”2
The tribulation will be a time of trouble unique in the entire history of the world (Mathew 24:2, James 16:33). The tribulation immediately follow the rapture of the body of Christ (Church). These have been many difficult time and persecution, judgment, terrible. There will be a great disturbance of seven years duration of the world.3
The word tribulation is derived from the ‘Aramaic’ ‘iddan’ is used to mean ‘years’ as in the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness recorded in Daniel 4:16.The saints will be handed oner to him. The Antichrist as he attempts to remake the world to suit himself. ‘Hewill speak against the most high oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the law’. This term for ‘time’ the plural,’ times’(iddanin) is meant to indicate two years, then we have here again a mention of an interval of three and a half years presumably the second half of the seventeenth week. Whether this indicates that the saints have been removed from the domain of the beast through the raptures, or whether this phase of the tyrannical rule will prevail during the second half of the week. Affecting the Jewish community until the Second Advent the midway point in the seventeenth week is given great prominence”.4
2) Definition of tribulation
The tribulation is the seventieth week of (Daniel 9:27); a week according to the prophet’s terminology equaling Seven years. During this period God judges an unbelieving world and His disobedient people Israel. The tribulation, vacious plagues sweep the earth, flaming demonic being torture the undreemed, the tribulation is unleased on an unrepentant and unbelieving world.
3) The term of Tribulation
The major word group regarding tribulation is thlipsis and its cognates, a word that is found in supervisingly few places in the new testament or the apostolic father’s reflecting apocalyptic language of old testament, especially Daniel, the book of revelation is the most extended depiction of tribulation in the new testament, even though the word thlipsis is use only a few times. Although the reference in revelation 7:14 to the great tribulation (cf.Mt.24:21) has caused unnecessary theological debate in terms of establishing the precise time and character of this tribulation is some futuristic eschatological schemes, Rev. 6-18 clear reflects a series of graphically depicted events of tribulation before the return of Christ (Rev. 18:11-21).5
B. MEANING AND DEFINITION OF RAPTURE
1) The meaning of Rapture
The word rapture is taken from the Latin verb “Rapere”: which is use in the Latin Bible in I Thessalonians 4:17. The rapture comes from Latin word that is the equivalent for the Greek word “harpazo” which is translated, “shall be caught up, to size, carry off snatch away”.
The rapture refer to an even which will mark the end of the Church. Age and which will be an occasion of great joy to Christian believers. All believers, both those who have died and those who are alive at the time, will be taken up to meet Jesus Christ who will have returned to the “air” earth’s atmosphere. The Christians and the Lord Jesus will return to heaven together. All the time of the rapture, Christ will not set foot on earth; and He will be visit only to believers. 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Acts. 1:11)6
2) Definition of the Rapture
Rapture is both to the translation of living believers from earthly mortality to heavenly immortality and to the resurrection of the corrupted bodies of believers to heavenly incorruption.
C. A Survey of the tribulation in other views and their argument with Pre-Tribulation
1) A Survey of the tribulation in other views
a) The Partial Rapture Theory
The first theory associated with the translation of the Church, is not concern with the time of the translation in relation to the tribulation periods, but rather with the subjects to be translated. It is contended that not all believer will be taken at the translation of the Church. But rather only those who are watching and waiting for that event who have reached some degree of spiritual attainment that makes them worthy to be included.
This view is indirect contradiction to one of the most central and important doctrines of all, that of salvation by grace through faith alone. It is commonly called the “Partial Rapture View”.7
When the Lord Jesus comes to snatch away the true Church, only the spiritual believers will be taken away. The “Carnal” and “Backslider” believers will be left to go through the tribulation most adherents of this view believe that the partial Rapture will occur before the tribulation.8
b) The post-tribulation Rapture theory
The theory coming into greater prevalence at the present time to explain the time of the translation of the Church in relation to the tribulation period is the post-tribulation Rapture theory. This theory holds that the Church will continue on the earth until the second advent at the end of this present age, at which time the Church will be caught up into the clouds to meet the lord who has come into the air on his way from heaven to earth for the second advent, to return immediately with him.
The Church of Christ will not be removed from the earth until the advent of Christ at the very end of the present age: the Rapture and the appearing take place at the same crisis; hence Christian’s of that generation will be exposed to the final affliction under unti Christ.9
Post-tribulationists maintain that the coming Church for his Christ will not take place until the conclusion of the great tribulation. They avoid use of the term Rapture because, it is not a biblical expression, it suggests that the Church will escape or be delivered from the tribulation.10
c) The mid-tribulation rapture theory
Those who believe that the Church will go through the first half of the tribulation and will be ruptured and taken to heaven at the mid point of the tribulation are called “mid-tribulation”.
To explain the time of the Rapture in relation to the tribulation period is the mid-tribulation theory. According to this theory the Church will be raptured at the end of the first three and one half years of the seventieth week of Daniel. The Church will endure the event of the first half of the tribulation, which according to the mid tribulation rapturists. This is the manifestation of divine wrath, but this will be translated before the last half of the week begins, which will be according to this theory.
This rapture is said to occur in connection with the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the catching up of the two witnesses in revelation. This mid-tribulation rapture view is essentially compromise between the post-tribulation and pre-tribulation positions.11
2) Their argument with the Pre-tribulation theory
a) An arguments of the partial Rapture theory
a) This partial Rapturist position is based on a “misunderstandings” of the value of the death of Christ if fees the sinner from condemnation and renders him acceptable to God. This doctrine is bound up in three New Testament words. They are propitiation, reconciliation and redemption.
b) Propitiation:- Christ by having His own blood sprinkled, as it were, over His body at Golgotha, become the mercy seat in reality. He is propitiator for and has made propitiation by so answering the just demands of God’s holiness against sin that heaven is rendered propitious. This fact of propitiation existing is to be believed.
Propitiation is God’s ward side of the work of the Christ on the cross. The death of Christ for the sin of the world changed the whole position of mankind in its relation to God, for he recognizes what Christ did in behalf of the world whether man enters into it or not. God is never said to be reconciled but his attitude toward the world is altered when the world’s relation to Him becomes radically changed through the death of Christ.
c) Re-conciliation:- Reconciliation means that something is thoroughly changed and adjusted to something which is a standard, as a watch may be adjusted to a chronometer… By the death of Christ on its behalf, the whole world is thoroughly changed in its relation to God… The word is so altered in its position respecting the holy judgment of God through the cross of Christ that God is not know imputing their sin unto them.
Since the position of the world before God is completely changed through the death of Christ, God’s own attitude toward man cannot longer be the same. He is prepared to deal with souls now in the light of what Christ has accomplished… God…believes completely in the thing which Christ has done and accepts, it, so as to continue being just although able thereby to justify any sinner who accept the savior as his Reconciliation.
d) Redemption
(1) The individual who has this perfect of standing of Christ can never be less than completely acceptable to God. But is partial rapturists says, that who insists that only these who are “waiting” or “watching” will be translated.
So this theory must deny not through the “waiting” or “watching” but through all these process only salvation is. So if we have this way we will translate at the day of rapture. This partial rapturist must deny at the day of rapture. This partial rapturist must deny is New Testament according to the (1 Cor.12:12-13). This says all believers are united to the body of Christ which is the Head (Ephe.5:30).
If the rapture includes only a portion of those redeemed then the body of which Christ is the head, will be dismembered and disfigured body when it is taken to Him.
(2) The partial rupturist must deny the completeness of the resurrection of the believers at the translation. Since not all the saints would be ruptured logically, not all the dead in Christ would be resurrected, in as much as may of them died in spiritual immaturity. But since Paul teaches that “we shall all be changed” and that all those that “sleep in Jesus” will God bring (1 Cor. 15:51-52), it is impossible to admit a partial resurrection.12
(3) Believers suffer in every age and all believers will reign with Christ. The suffering and reigning of Christians is never linked to any supposed order of the rapture.13
(4) The partial repturist confuses the scriptural teaching on rewards. The rewards are given by God for faithful service. The new testament is very clear in its teaching about rewards (Rev.2:10; 1 The. 2:19; Phil 4:1; 1 Cor.9:25; 1 Pet 5:4; II Timothy 4:8). But the partial repturist teach this rewards is only for those who watching and they are forgetting the gracious gift of God.
(5) This partial rapturist believe that Church also will go under tribulation period. This is impossible because one of the purpose of the tribulation period in to judge the world in preparation for the kingdom to follow. So Church needs not such a judgment that is why this partial rapture position is untenable.14
b) An arguments from post-tribulation rapture theory
(a) The historical arguments: This position is that pre-tribulationism is a new doctrine arising in the last hundred years. So that the theory is not acceptable. Therefore, to be rescuted and it is not Apostolic.
(b) The argument against imminency: This says that the post tribulation rapturist is against imminency. It belief that the imminent return of Christ. And also Church is scriptural doctrine that the Church must be raptured before the sings. So Church will live in the like of the expectation of the imminent retrun of Christ so that the testimony of the scriptures (John 14:2-3) and the evidence of the early Church cannot be denied.
(c) The argument from wheat and tares: This emphasis that wheat is His own people and tares means the readiness of the people. In time it harvest means rapture Christ Angles will come and gather in to bundles in readiness people. Then after Christ comes for the true Church symbolized by the wheat.
c) Argument from mid tribulation rapture theory
(a) The denial of imminence: This mid tribulation rapturist denies that the doctrine of imminence. This says that rapture being placed at the last trumpet on the ground that it militates against our hope in the imminent return of Christ.
(b) The promise of tribulation: the second argument of mid tribulation is the argument that the Church was promised tribulation. So church must experience the three and half yeas tribulation period. For the fact that tribulation may be used in the technical sense, according to the seven years of Daniel’s prophesy or in a non technical sense.
(c) The denial of the Church as a mystery: The third argument of the mid tribulation is an argument that essentially denies the mystery concept of the Church. It has been shown previously that this present age is itself a mystery and it demonstrated the mystery program must to be brought to termination before God.
(d) The duration of the tribulation period: This argument says that the tribulation will be only three and one-half years in length. First three and one-half years “sweet” but second three and one-half years “better” indeed they will experience the wrath of Anti Christ this is their “day of trouble”. It is great tribulation.15
CHAPTER II
A BIBLICAL TEACHINGS OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE POSITION
“The time of Rapture” is one of the most controversial issues in among the theological. There are different views concerning it. Clear studies of the scripture strongly prove the pre-tribulational Rapture position. All the dead in Christ will be resurrected and the living Saints will be translated and they together will be caught up to heaven before the beginning of the tribulation period. In order to prove this, it is Important to take to the various part of the scripture
A. THE ESSENTIAL BASIS OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE POSITION
The time of the rapture in relation to the tribulation period is the pretribulation interpretation, which holds that the church, the body of Christ, In its entirety, will, by resurrection and translation, be removed from the earth before any part of the seventieth week of Deniel begins.
Pre-tribulation rapturisim rests essentially on one major premise the literal method of interpretation of the scriptures. As a necessary adjust to this, the pre-tribulation believes is a dispensational interpretation of the word of God. The church and Israel are two distinct groups with whom of God had a divine plan. The church is a mystery unrevealed in the Old Testament. This present mystery age intervers within the program of God for Israel because of Israel’s rejection of the messiah at His first-advent This mystery program must be completed before God can resume His program with Israel and bring it to completion. These consideration all rise from the literal method of interpretation.[1]
1) Interpretative principles of pre-tribulation
The principle of spiritualization of important concepts in relation to the tribulation is the interpretative approach of post- tribulation, so the interpretation of prophecy in its normal and literal sence is the key to pre-tribulationism.
Walvooord Write:
The literal interpretation of prophecy leads to the conclusion that there is a future time of trouble, which will be a major feature of the end time. Daniel’s prophecy a period of seven years culminating Israel’s history (Daniel 9:27) is regarded as future and providing the major structure of the period between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. Likewise, the literal interpretation of prophecy maintains a contrast-between Israel and the Church. The Church is a separate body of believers, distinct in the divine purpose of God’s plan from the nation Israel and more particularly to be contrasted to His plan for the saved or elect in Israel. The teaching contrast Israel and the church is sometimes referred to as the dispensational interpretation. Actually, however, the distinction between Israel and the Church does not seem from dispensationalist itself, but from the single harmeneutic or the literal interpretation of prophecy, Dispensationism is the result not the cause of this doctrine.[2]
Pre-tribulation also considers the tribulation itself with a large degree of literalness and views the judgments poured out upon the earth revealed in the book of revelation as subject to literal fulfillment. While recognizing that-some of these prophecies are given in the symbolic form, the stark awfulness of the future period of tribulation nevertheless emerges from any reasonably literal interpretation of prophecies having to do with the great tribulation. Christ Himself declared that these would be no other time in all of human history equal to that of the great tribulation severity (Mathew 24:21) and with this agree the prophecies of (Jer. 30: 7).
“That none is like it,’ ‘It is even the time of Jacob trouble3. The prophecy of Daniel 12:1 “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” Undoubtedly the application of literal interpretation to prophecy leads to the pre-tribulation view whereas the spiritualization of prophecy leads to the post-tribulation view. It is not too much to say that this really determines the issue and that subsequent arguments merely confirm the reasonableness of their respective points of view.
2) The literal Method of Interpretation
The doctrine of the pre millennial return of Christ to institute a literal kingdom is the outcome of the literal method of interpretation of the Old Testament promises and prophecies.
J. Dwight says:
The Only natural, therefore, that the same basic method in interpretation must be a employed in our Interpretation of the rapture question. It would be most illogical; to build a pre- millennial system on a literal method and then depart from that method in consideration of the related question. It can easily be seen that the literal method of interpretation demands a pretribulation rapture of the church. The post-tribulation must either, interpret the book of Revelation historically, which is basically a spiritualizing method or, else treat it as yet future, but spiritualize away the literalness of the events in an attempt to harmoize the events with other scripture in the light of his interpretation. Either explanation violates of the principles of literal interpretation. The midtribulation rapturists will apply the literal method of interpretation to the last half of the seventieth week, but spiritualize the event of the first half of the week to permit the Church to encounter those. This again, is a basic inconsistency. The literal method of interpretation, consistence employed, can lead to no other conclusion than that the Church will be ruptured before the seventieth week.4
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The Lord himself will return for this people accompanied will be a short – of command.
B. BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR PRE-TRIBULATION
There are many scriptural evidence for the pre-tribulation all Rapture position many of the New Testament passages clearly says that Christ will come at the beginning of the great tribulation to remove the church from the world. This coming is a sense will be secret, no unbelieving eye will observe it. The rapture is pictured in I Thess 4:17 then who are alive who are left shall be caught up together with the dead in Christ.
It is clear that God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come there is finally, within pre-tribulation a strong emphasis that the Lord’s return is imminent since his return will precede the tribulation nothing to be prior to the rapture.
1) The Time Of The Rapture In I And II Thess.
Several things may be established concerning the time of the rapture from the first epistle to Thessalonica, The rapture of the saint living at the coming of the Lord will not precede the resurrection of the living dead. The dead in Christ shall rise first, then which are, alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.
Gordon R. Lewis Writes:
The time of rapture is explicitly in the immediate context, it is most normal the understand the deliverance from tribulation wrath by rapture, If a post-tribulationist import into this context a theory of preservation from divine wrath by some other means during the tribulation, he ought to produce some evidence from the context for his theory. Meanwhile, the section on the rapture and the believer’s readiness for it concludes with the summation that whether people wake or sleep church shall line together with Christ, and so believer may comfort one another up, for having turned to God, from idols, to serve the living and true God, and wait for His son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come.5
The rapture of time place before the great tribulation, the Rapture is a timeless even; even the Lord Jesus Christ the did not know he himself say except only my father.
“The Rapture it may take place at any moment. The Revelation of Christ cannot take place until definite scriptural signs are fulfilled. In Rapture Christ will not seen by the world, in the Revelation he will come in power and great glory and every eye shall see him.”6
Homer Ducan says:
The time of the Lord’s return though no man know the day or the hour when Christ will return (Matt 24:36) People can know by the signs of the times that the coming of Christ draws near. Jesus said, and when these things begin to come to pass, the look up, “and lift up your heads; for your redemption drawthning”(Luk 21:28) Believer the word of God discover dozens of signs in the Old and New Testament that ate being fulfilled in a most remarkable way right before our eyes. The most remarkable is the return of the Jesus to the Holy land. God said that He said that He would scatter Israel among all the nation, and He did, He said that they would regather them, and He is regathering them. The fulfillment of many of the prophetic scripture concerning the nation of Israel.7
The time of rapture will transformation of the bodies, of living Christian from moral bodies to immortal bodies, from corruptible bodies to in corruptible bodies, from sinful bodies to sinless bodies. He will changes our lowly bodies that they may be fashioned like His glorious body.
2) The time of the Rapture of the Church
a) According to Christ Olive discourse
Another of the major eschatological passages of the New Testament is the Olivet discourse for it speaks of a gathering of the elect after the tribulation. Is this an explicit statement of the postribulational view, or does it refer to a later gathering subsequent to the rapture of the Church.
John F. Walvoord says:
Christ’s conversion is conducted on the mount of Olives opposite the temple. As the signs develop the disciples will be beathen is synagogues, the desolating sacrilege predicted by Daniel will take place in the temple, for the sake of the elect Jesus the days are shortened so that when Christ comes in the clouds with power and great glory they are gathered from the four corners of the earth, and this generation race of few will not pass away until these thing are fulfilled. No one can know the time but should always be watching. The Jewish during the time of the gentile and will be preserved through the tribulation so Israel is to look for the return of Christ to establish His kingdom is Jerusalem and to restore the temple.8
Here Jesus told them of His coming with power and great glory after the tribulation Jesus concluded this portion of the discourse is an unexpected way. He said of His coming But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven but my father only (Math 24:36). Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh.
The question and answers in Olivet discourse has to with Jesus and Jerusalem. It has nothing to do with the church “The Church is not present in any sense in Chapter 24 and 25. The disciples question related to Jerusalem, Israel and the Lord second coming in glory to establish this kingdom.”9 Therefore Church will be ruptured even before occurring the incidents which is mentioned in Olivet discourse.
3) The time of the rapture of the church and passage on imminencey
Many signs were given to the nation Israel which would precede the second advent, so that the nation might be living in expectancy when the time of His coming should draw righ. Although Israel could not know the day nor the hour when lord will come yet can know that their redemption drawethnigh through the fulfillment of the signs. To the Church no such signs were even given. The church was told to line in the light of the Imminent coming of the Lord to translate then in His presence, all the believer to be watching for the Lord Himself, not for signs that would precede His coming. It is true that the event of the seventieth week will cast an adumbration before the rapture, but the object of the believers attention is always directed to Christ, never to these parents.
J. Buraga Writes:
We are exhorted in the New Testament to always watch and wait for the coming of the lord Mathew 24:36,42,44 these exhortations are relevant only in the context of an any moment coming. Further, the Church is given no signs that must precede the rapture on the other hand. The Church is asked to live in the light of the imminent return of Christ to translate her into his presence (Jn 14:2, 3) Phil 3:20);( I Thess. 1:10); (Jam 5:8); (II Pet 3:3-4); the signs given in Mathew 24 and Luk. 21 are for Israel and will take place only after rapture.10
Therefore watch for your life; sake let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; But be ye ready for ye know not the hour is which cometh.
John F. Walvoord States:
The coming of Christ for his Church is uniformly presented as an imminent event. This is in sharp contrast to the presentation of the doctrine of the second coming, which is consistently presented as following a requence of events the great tribulation detailed in the book of revelation. And second coming of Christ to the earth in no proper sense can be called an imminent event.11
The fact that the rapture is presented as an immenent event is a major argument for distinguishing the rapture from the second coming of Christ to the earth.
C. THE PRE-TRIBULATION DOCTRINE OF IMMENENCY
One of the important arguments in favor of the pre- tribulational position is fact that the rapture as presented in the Bible is constantly viewed as an imminent events. In none of the major passages which predict the translation of the living saints and the resurrection of the dead in Christ are any events interposed as sign of the approaching rapture.
The Lord, the veil is taken away of Christ is imminent, that is, may now occur at any time. But the Bible teaches us that the events and signs mentioned in the foregoing must precede the return no one can determine the exact time.
John F.Walvoord says:
In like manner, the rapture doctrine is related to exhortation which lose much of their for it they are connected with the second coming of Christ follow a great tribulation. The revelation concerning the translation of the living Church is concluded with an exhortation to faith fullness and steadfastness in view of the fact that their labor is not in vain. It is clear that immenency make much more urgent the need for present sanctification and purity of life post tribulation often counter these arguments by noting exhortation to ‘watch’ and to be ready related to second coming of Christ as for instance in Mathew 24-25 her, however the exhortation is clearly addressed to those who will be living in the period when the sign have already appeared. It is note worthy that the exhortation are not given until the great tribulation is unfolded. It is there for implicit in the passages that the exhortation do not apply specifically to those who are living in preceding generation, but rather have their immediate point in the lives and expectancy of those who go through the period of the signs related to the Lord return. While they have general applications to the entire interadvent age, their particular application is to those living at the time of the end.12
Those who hold to a pre-tribulational coming for the saint by Christ. Believe that the return could happen at any moment, in light of this, All must be prepared at all time for that possibility lest believes be caught unaware.
D. THE PURPOSE OF PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE
The purpose of the rapture is to take the Church out of the world and bring them to the father’s house. The purpose of the second coming is to establish Christ’s millennial Kingdome. Believers shall see that Christ’s purpose in coming into the air. This different is in itself a proof that there are two phases to his coming. The first phase of Christ’s return will be his coming in to the air, but it clear that he will also come down to earth.
1) To receive his own people
He will come to receive his own to himself. This is stated in so many words Christ he comforted his disciples saying .I go to prepare a place for you. And if go and prepare a place for you .I will come again to receive you.
Where I am, there ye may be also (Jn 14:2’3), until Christ returns, Paul gives us a detailed description of what will happen on that occasion (1 Thess 4:14-17).
Henry Clarence Thiessen write:
The heart of Jesus longs for the closest fellowship. ‘While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the lord’,2 Cor 5:6. When we fall asleep in Jesus we are ‘absent from the body’ and at home with the lord. But this too is not the ideal condition. Therefore He will come and receive us to himself in bodily form, that where he is, there we may be also Jn 14:3.From this time forth he shall be with Lord (Thess 4:17). But since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor 15:50), it is evident that certain changes must taken place before he can receive us unto himself.13
There for ‘ believers shall be with the lord ‘. Emphasizes the fact that when Christ will come it will be to receive his own unto himself. At that time the righteous will be rewarded for their faithful service to the master, it is a wonderful incentive to a life of devotion and self denial to think that shall be abundantly rewarded his name.
2) The Judgment Seat of Christ and Reward
This Judgment seat of Christ and reward will apparently take place immediately after the rapture of the Church, Since the twenty- four elders who likely represent believers have their crowns in the scene in heaven at the beginning of the tribulation. Further, when the bride return with Christ at His second coming, she is clothed with the righteous deeds which have survived the examination of this Judgment.
Willmington’s Writes:
This judgment is the bema of Christ. Earthly beams were raised, throne-like platforms on which rulers or judges sat when making speeches (Act 12:21),or hearing and deciding cases(18:12-17).Only believers will stand in this judgment, for make clear that it relates to those who have built on the foundation Jesus Christ (1Cor 3:11-12). The nature of the believer’s work will be examined in the judgment to distinguish worthy work from workless ones. These work are the deeds done by the believer during his Christian life. All will be reviewed and examined. Some will pass the test because they were good; others will fail because they were worthless. Both good and bad motives will be exposed; then every believer will receive his due praise from God. To receive this rewards or crowns.14
The judgment seat of Christ might be compared to a commencement ceremony. At graduation there is some measure of disappointment and remorse that one did not do better and work harder. However, at such an event the overwhelming emotion is joy, not remorse. The graduates do not leave the auditorium weeping because they did not earn better grades. Rather, hey are thankful that they have been graduated and they are grateful for what they did achieve. To over do the sorrow aspect of the judgment seat of Christ is to make heaven hell. To under do the sorrow aspect is to make faithfulness in consequential.
The rewards may be lost because of unfaithfulness during one’s lifetime. His concern was that his readers would receive a full reward, that is, receive all that could be theirs through continued faithfulness.
The believer Paul speaks to Corinthian about the judgment of Christ (11 Cor 5:10 ). He wrote we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive according our faithfulness during life time whether it be good or bad for we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ Rom4:10.
God promise to reward every good work there is a difference between the Bible reference which deal with solution, the free gift, and which speak of reward, which are earned by work. Christian will be rewarded according to their work. Notice the words of the lord, “I know they works and charity and service and faith and they patience and they work. Worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work”. God promise, “he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which beautifully shall reap also beautifully and glorify and worship to Christ’.
Clarence H. Benson says:
After the gracian games were all over,the runners wrestles and successful contestants assembled before the judges stand an elevated seat on which the judges sat and the winners have given as crown of laurel leaves. Although this was a corruptible crowns which would soon fade, Paul spoke incorruptible victor crown, who do not yield to fleshly desires, or diverted from the master work by world pleasures.15
There will be reward bestowed for that work that is proved to be indestructible by the fire test. In the New Testament there are five areas in which specific mention is made of a reward “ An incorruptible crown will only be presented to those saints who faithfully resisted the world the flesh and the devil and the race to the finish or those who get mastery ones the old man”.16
“Crown of glory 1 Pet 5;2-4.the chief shepherd shall appear , ye shall receive a crown of glory, this is the crown of elder under shepherds the pastor, missionary teacher. To be faithful the Lord.”17
“Crown of life Jam 1: 12 Rev 2:10.For those enduring trials martyr ‘s crown and also called endure persecution of every age and of the tribulation period especially, are to receive this crown “18
“Crown of rejoicing (1Thess. 2:19); (Dan.12:13); for those soul winners. A crown of righteousness for loving his appearing (2 Tim. 4:8)”.19
These seems to suggest the areas in which rewards will be bestowed. The believer works do not endure, he is saved but receives no reward the believer’s work are genuine, he is rewarded.
3) The marriage of the Lamb of God
“New Testament passage the relation between Christ and the church is revealed by the use of the figures of the bridegroom and the bride Jh.3: 29. At the translation of the church Christ is appearing as a bridegroom to take His bride unto Himself”.20
“The marriage of the lamb is an event which evidently involves only Christ and the church. The marriage of lamb take place in heaven. But the marriage supper is involves Israel and take place on the earth”.21
Let your be girded and ye yourself like unto men that wait for this lord when he will return from the wedding. He honor to him the marriage of the lamb is come be ready.
All this things which were discussed strongly prove that the scripture is clearly teachings the pre- tribulational rapture position. Christ will come for his church before the tribulation. The church will not go through tribulation because it is not for the church but for the Israelites.
CHAPTER III
AN ARGUMENTS FOR PRE-TRIBULTION RAPTURE POSITION
There are many arguments to prove the pre-tribulation Raptural position. Biblical argument is the primary one. Seventy week of Daniel proves that Church will not be the part of the seventieth week. There are many New Testament references proves the pre-tribulations Rapture. Historical argument and the dispensational argument also prove it,
A. BIBLICAL ARGUMENT OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE POSITION
A number of arguments may be presented in support of the pre-tribulation rapture position. While not all of them are not equal weight the Cumulative evidence is strong.
Various arguments from scripture can be presented which substantiate this doctrine of the Lord’s pre-tribulation return of the church.
1) Prove by the Seventy week of Daniel
Daniel’s seventh week is yet to be fulfilled. The tribulation will be that week if seven year. A Week according to the propject’s terminology equaling seven year. I is the last of the a seventy week (490 years) prophecy regarding Israel’s future, Which began In 444.B.C Sixty nine week 483 years). Concluded with the death of Christ. There is gap between the sixty-ninth (A.D 33) and the seventieth week.
J. Verson Megee Say:
The Great Tribulation will take place, designated in the Old Testament as the ‘seventieth week of Daniel’ It is the seven year period yet to come which will complete the 490 years of the prophecy God gave to Daniel. It partials to the nation Israel, and it will be concluded by the return of Christ to the earth as Zechariah says. His feet shall stand on the mount of Olives. Then the Great Tribulation will take place here on earth, and at the end of that period Christ will return to establish his kingdom on this earth. But during those seven years the earth will have been under a world dictator who will combine both religion and politics. He will bring the ecumenical movement under one heads and only he himself will be worshiped as God II Thessalonians reveals this fact as does the book of revelation and in the Old Testament Daniel confirm it. This world dictator, called Antichrist will show himself as God in the Temple of God, He also will be the political ruler the dictator of the entire world.[3]
Seventy weeks of Daniel is determined only for ‘his people’ that means only for the people of Israel. “This span of time was decreed for Daniel’s people and the Holy City. This prophecy then is concerned not with world history or church history, but with the history of Israel and the City of Jerusalem.”[4] Seventy week, which started on 444 B.C., has 490 years sixty-nine weeks are fulfilled by the death of Christ. Seventieth week (7 years) is yet to be fulfilled, because all the purposes of seventy week are not yet fulfilled. Therefore there is a gap between sixty- ninth week and 70th week. Church is started in this gap and will end in this gap. So the Church (all the believes from the day of Pentecost till rapture) will not for go through the tribulation. Therefore the seventy week of Daniel proves the pre-tribulational Rapture position because tribulation (70th week) is not determined for the Church but for the people of Israel.
2) New Testament References Proves the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
The Scripture being mentioned more than three hundred times in the New Testament in the entire chapter being given to the discussion of Christ return. Christ taught that his return would be a literal physical event. He would return in just the same way as the disciple has seen there depart.
a) Participants Of The Rapture (1Thess 4: 14-18)
The participants of the rapture for his Church, which is composed of all saved people from Pentecost up to rapture itself. The actual participats of the rapture include.
i) The Lord Jesus Christ
According to 1.Thess 4:13-18, which is the most complete description of the ‘rapture’ phase of Christ’s coming, the rapture is preceded by the resurrection of all Christian who have died since the founding of Christ. They are not ‘really dead’, since their soul and spirits have been absent from the body and present with the lord.
“Tin Lahaye Says; The dead of Christ mean asleep in Jesus, which goes on until the Lord come, The time of reuniting both dead believers and those who are alive and remain, plus the fact that they will all meet the Lord in the air”.3
R.C. Sprout Writes:
The Rapture imagery may have been designed to communicate that the people of Christ would join him in his triumphant return. The rapture imagery may be symbolic in this sense, in terms of that the rapture represent. But the rapture imagery is not symbolic in the sense that the rapture is altogether invisible, The language is symbolic, calling attention to the eschatological action of God in the consummation of the age, being caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air simply is accommodative language denoting the end of all age gathering together of God; elect.4
ii) Archangel
Michael is the Archangel the voice of the archangel will be of triumph. He revels over the victory of the Church other Satan and his hosts. All of a sudden these will be the shout, which is believed for the resurrection of the dead a Christ, and the translation of the living saints.
George Sweeting Says:
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. Then we, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.5
iii) Dead Saint in Christ will be raised first
New Testament saints will be resurrected with redeemed bodies. Though to is like over vile bodies yet it will be fully renewed and glorified. The resurrected body is God given body.
Hendrickson Says;
“See what has been said about this in the preceding the meaning here very clearly that those who departed from this life in Christ shall not be at disadvantage. They will rise before the believers who survive on earth will ascend to meet the lord and wait a moment, as it were”.6
Then who are alive, who are left, shall be ‘cannot up’ together with them in cloud to meet the lord in air.
Herbert Lockyer writes:
Bible does not teach a general resurrection, that is, all the dead whether saved or lost rising at the same time, the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thess 4:15, 16), Daniel also hinted at two resurrection when he said that, when Christ return all who died in him are to be raised, but the rest of the dead, the wicked dead remain in their graves until the setting up of the great while throne, it is in the New Testament, however that we have the clearest doctrinal statement of our resurrection, and the distinction draw between ‘the resurrection of the dead.’7
L.W. Munhall, Says: “Many of them that sleep Daniel 12:2 in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to ashamed, and everlasting contempt, are the dead saint”8
iv) Living Saint will be changed
The living saint only the living ones are ruptured it means they will be caught up into the Lord’s presence without having to experience physical death.
Oliver B. Greece States:
In a moment in the twinkling of an eye and together all saints will be caught up to meet the lord in the air. Jesus clearly taught the two fold character of the Rapture when the spoke with Martha just before the raising of Lazarus. He said, I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believed in me though he were dead, yet shall live, and who so ever lived and believed in me shall ever die, this speaks of believers who will be living when Jesus descends in the air and call the Church up to meet him, they will be translated, glorified, but will not be death, in John 11:23-27, when the trumpet of God sounds, the dead in Christ will be raised in corruptible, and the living saints will be charged. Only those who will be caught up to meet Jesus without dying can shout. O death where is they string; O grave where is they victory. To the Philippians believers Paul wrote, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death; if by any means i might attain unto the resurrection of the dead, in other word, Paul would esteem if a marvelous and glorious thing to rise from the dead at the first resurrection when the changed one. But he esteemed it a much greater prize if he should be one of those caught up without dying, living rapture Church to meet him in air.9
The dead in Christ and the translation of living saints sure one day, when the day of glory Jesus Christ will come in to the mid air from heaven or the presence of the father. All of a sudden there will be the shout, which is believed for the resurrection, and will be with forever to our Savior.
According to I Thessalonians 4:14-18, neither Old Testament saints nor New Testament Israelites will be the participant of the Rapture. Rapture is one, meant for the Church, which is a separate entity. Therefore while tribulation is going on here in the world the Church will be with the Lord. So that Church will not go through the tribulation.
b) The rapture and the day of the lord Thessalonians 5:1-10
The rapture there is no Old Testament revelation. The rapture is the first event of the, day of the Lord, as post tribulationism teaches, but if the rapture is mystery, unrevealed in the Old Testament, and is it precedes the actual beginning of the day of the Lord or pre-tribulation teaches.
Hendrickson says:
“A distinction should be made between the day of the lord and the day of Christ. The day of the lord is refer to the period of tribulation but the day of the Christ references to the millennium.”10
Charles C. Ryrie Writes:
Rapture is really apart from the Day of the Lord. The beginning of the day will come unexpectedly is a time, believer are to line with alertness and sobriety. The exhortation of verses 6,8,19 are not of watch for signs during the tribulation in preparation for the Day of the Lord at the end of the tribulation, but to live godly lives in view of the coming tribulation which believer will escape, But concerning the rapture there is no old Testament revelation. This omission from over a hundred passages seems hard event of the day of the Lord. So the pre tribulation use of the passages is strongly supported exegetically. The rapture is not a part of the Day of the Lord and therefore can not be post tribulation.11
The one time the scripture mention peace and safety during the tribulation period is at its very beginning. This time will be followed immediately by war destruction, will continue until Christ come, Thus the Day of the Lord must begin at the beginning of tribulation.
Charles L. Fein berg Says:
The prophet of Joel was probably one of the earliest of the minor prophet. This day will come to an end, as for as the Church is concerned, with the day of Christ which is the rapture. We proof here than an ordinary, or even extraordinary plague of locusts on the final and ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. Thus be so terrible that man can scare able it, how much less will be able to do so in the hour, when God’s fullest judgment will be upon a Christ rejecting and God-dishonoring world, in the Day of Jehovah.12
John F. Walvoord writes:
The prophecy of Isaiah 13:9-11 speak itself. ‘Behold the day of the lord cometh. Cruel both with wrath and fierce anger to lay the land desolate, and the shall destroy the sinner therefore but of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations there of shall not give their light the sun shall be darkened in his going forth and noon shall not come her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil.13
c) The church is to delivered from the wrath to come
Thess 1:9-10
The apostle had predicted that believers could be raptured and Paul mention the second coming in every chapter, he commends then for turning to God from ideals to serve the living and true God.
Tim lahaye jerry state” To wait for his son heaven whom he raised from the death, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:9-10).14
Ronal A.Ward Writes:
Wrath to come refers to the eschatology wrath on the Day of judgment. Paul could use the present tense delivers. Believers have already been delivered from that which is still to come. The eschatological or final verdict of the last day has already been given. This decides the question of weather a man goes to heaven or hell. Believer have, however the judgment of awards when the character of our work will be tested. Even if the work does not pass the test the believer himself will be saved( 1Cort 3:12-15) The concept if the wrath of God has come under heavy fire with the last generation, this is what is meant by the wrath to come. In the mercy and long suffering of God it is dammed up in order to give man the opportunity to repent and believer and receive salvation. But in a sense it is in its way ands is anticipated (Rom 1:18).15
d) Revelation 3:10
The promise is based to keeping the word of His patience, a reference to all believer in john 8:51, 14:23-24 and 1 John 2:3). It was made to all Churches not just the one in Philadelphia in the first century. Rev.3:13 and the similar close to each of the letter to those representative churches). It relates to the coming hour to testing on the earth: that is to the tribulation. It states believers will be kept from that hour. Those who appose pre- tribulations understand the phrase to man ‘I will guard’ That is believers will be guarded thought out the seven years and then emerge from at the second coming of Christ.
The pre-tribulationist’ under standing of is supported by a number of verses that have nothing to do with the Rapture and therefore do not beg the question. He who guards His mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles. Guarding your mouth and tongue is not the means to protecting yourself in the time of trouble, rather it is the means of escaping trouble you are not presently in. In the Septuagint indicated an eternal preservation.16 This is the pre-tribulatiorism and this is the meaning of the promise of Revelation 3:10.And the promise came from the resent savior who Himself is the deliver fro the wrath to come. 1 Thess 1:10.
3) The Promise Of The Exemption For Divine Wrath Prove The Pre-Tribulation
This exemption from wrath does not mean that the church will experience trial, persecution or suffering. To use to terminology of the song writer the church has not been promised that see will be carried to the skies on flowery beds of case.
Paul D. Feiberg states:
“The world and Satan have never been friends of God and his Church., The new Testament make it clear that we should expect trial and suffering particularly if we live righteously17.
The ground for the exemption is not Jesus Christ on the cross has borne our wrath so that we will not come into wrath. The wrath of God is an important, and much discussed is scripture, God’s wrath has been poured out an the wicked in the past, the wrath of God abides presently upon unbelievers Eph 2:3.
This is pre-tribulationism, and this is the meaning of the promise of revelation 3:10, And the promise came from the resen Savior who himself is the delivered from the wrath to come, 1 Thess 1;10.
The Bible speaks of the future pr eschatological wrath of God, the period of divine wrath is connected with the day of the lord, therefore, the Church will be on the earth until the day dawns, that the wrath of God has broken forth ‘Divine wrath does not blanket the entire seventieth week. Probably not even the latter half of it but concentrates at the close. It is only from divine wrath that the Church is exempt.18
For God hath not appointed in to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. The characteristic of the day of wrath, unfolded in the book of revelation and anticipated in prophecy reveal from of afflict the entire human race.
Christian Missionary Society writs:
The ‘wrath of God’ does of begin until after the opening of the 6th seal the word ‘wrath of God’ are not mentioned in the book of revelation until at the opening of the 6th seal ‘the wrath of God’ does not take place on earth until after ‘the wrath of Satan’ the wrath of Satan is against the world of sinner and unbelievers there is no scripture for it there are many second chance to get saved ‘wrath of God’ period there is no scripture that they will ever preach the Gospel(Revel 9:4).19
B. THE HISTORICAL ARGUMENT OF PRE RIBULATION
One of the main arguments of post-tribulations is that their view is the viewpoint of the Church at large from the first century until now. Adherents of this view quate Church fathers to the effect that the second coming of Christ could occur at any moment, and of course, this would include the rapture.
Robert P. Lightner States:
Among evangelical today there are three basic views regarding the future, pre-millenialism, amillennialism and post millienialism. Pre millenialists lists believe there will be a literal millennium, a thousand year reign of peace on the earth. Christ will return with his saint’s and establish this kingdom, which was promised in the Old Testament. Amilliennialist do not believe in a future earthly kingdom, eternity begin at Christ’s second coming, according to their, view. Post-millinnialists also reject future thousand year reign of peace on the earth in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, their belief is that before Christ returns, the Church will succeed in Christianizing Society, when Christ returns Christian influence will prevail and his coming will further in eternity.20
There are several major argument on which the post tribulations rests this case. The first of these is the historical argument. His position is that pre tribulations is a new doctrine, arising in the last hundred years, and therefore to be rejected because it is not apostolic
In reply to the argument several thing noted (1) such an argument is an argument from silence. If the same line of reason were followed one would not accept the doctrine of justification by faith, for it was not clearly taught until the reformation. The failure does not nullify that teaching (2) The early Church lived in the light of the belief in the imminent return of Christ might return at any time, pre tribulations is the only position consistent with this doctrine of imminence. If an argument from silence be followed, the eight of evidence favors the pre tribulation view. (3) It should be observed that each era of Church history has been occupied with a particular doctrinal controversy, which has become the object of discursion, revision, and formulating, until there were general acceptations of what scripture taught.21
The entire field of theology was thus formulated through the age it was not until the last century that the field of eschatology became a matter to which the mind of the Church was turned.
C. DISPENSATIONAL ARGUMENT FOR THE PRE-
TRIBULATION
Pre-tribulationalism has become a part of dispensational eschatology, originally this was due to the emphasis of the early writer and teacher on the imminency of the return of the Lord, more lately it has been connected with the dispensational conception of the distinctiveness of the Church, pre-tribulation lions has become a regular feature of dispensational pre millennialism.
John F. Walvoord Says; “All pre tribulations and post tribulation that dispensational interpretation automatically led to pre tribulationism. Post tribulation must be based on a denial of dispensationalisim and all dispensational distinctions.”22
1) The nature of the pre-tribulation
The nature of the Church is a crucial point of difference between dispensationalism and other doctrinal viewpoints, indeed, ecclesiology, or the doctrine of the Church, is the touchstone of dispensationalism. Not only has the dispensational teaching concerning the Church been the subject of controversy, but also the ramifications of that teaching in ecclesiastical it have been attached.
J. Dwight Pentecost Says:
There is a distinction between the professing Church and national Israel. It should be observed that the professing Church is composed of those who make a profession of faith Christ. (ii) There is a distinction between the true Church and the professing Church, only the true Church will be rapture. (iii) There is a distinction between the true Church and true or spiritual Israel again.23
The rapture will remove, not all who make a profession of faith in Christ, but only those who have been born again and have received his life. The unbelieving portion of the visible Church, together with unbelievers in the nation Israel, will go into the tribulation period.
2) The Concept Of The Church As A Mystery
The mystery program, which has so distinct in its inception, will certainly be separate at its conclusion. This program must be concluded before God resumes and culminates his program for Israel. This mystery concept the Church makes a pre-tribulation rapture a necessity.
Charles C. Ryrie Say:
The mystery has something unknown in the dead sea scrolls two synonymous words for mystery, indicate not only something unknown but also wisdom that is for above finite understanding. In the New Testament the word occurs twenty seven time and includes idea of sometimes both keep (matt 13:11); and secret (cols 1: 36).24
W.E. Blackstone writes: “The Church is to be the bride of Christ, which he is going to present unto himself ph 5:23-32, they have presented me they will also persecuted you, this present will continue until Jesus come.”25
3) The Distinctions Between Israel And The Church
The distinction between Israel and the Church, such blurring fails to recognize the contrast that is maintained in scripture between Israel, the Gentiles, and the Church. In the New Testament is addressed as a nation in contrast to Gentiles after, this was establishing at Pentecost.
Charles C. Ryrie Say:
“The New Testament National Israel continues wither own promises and the Church is never quated with a so called ‘New Israel’ but is carefully and continually distinguished as a separate work of God in this age.”26
Allen Bee chick States “The disciples represent both Israel and the Church because they were in fact part of Israel and he Church”27
Charles C. Ryrie writes:
The distinction between Israel and Church is verified by several fact (1) the New Testament Natural Israel and Gentiles are contrasted after the Church was clearly established (Act 3:12). (2) Natural Israel and the Church are clearly distinguished, showing that the Church Israel (1cor 10:32). The apostle’s distinction would be meaningless if Israel have the same as the Church (3) (Gal 6:16); provides no clear proof that the Church is equated with Israel.28
Distinctions between Israel and the Church There is no, Biblical warrant for doing so, many passages indicates Israel was still regarded as a distinct entity after the birth of the Church Rom 9:6. Israel was given unconditional promise consonants in the Old Testaments that must be fulfilled with Israel in the millennial kingdom.
The Pre-Tribulation understand of future events come and against the doctrine. But it is true fact that is recorded in the word of God. And it will occur literally, the return of the Lord for his Church is a precious aspect of faith and expectation. The Rapture will occur before the tribulation, removing all the redeemed who are living on the earth at that time. But many people will be saved during the Tribulation (Rev 7:9, 14) including a specific group of 1,44,000 Jewish people (v. 4) of those saved during that horrible time, many will be martyred (6:11). But some will survive to enter the millennium (matt 25:34), (Zech 14:11).
Thus the second coming of Jesus Christ is one of a vital doctrine of Christianity. It is neither a fusion nor theory of men or scholar. But it is real and proves from the Bible.
CHAPTER IV
The Origin of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram and their Doctrine of Rapture and Tribulation
A. The Origin of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram
1) The First Establishment of Gospel Baptist Church in Aizawl Mizoram
The first Church was founded in the city of Mizoram Aizawl. Actually, the root or the origin of this Church was from Burma Chin (State) through the work hard of Rev. Moses Thawng Cung and his friend. It was establish for God.
As years passed by, the number of believers were increasing and some of the family from this Church were emigrated to Mizoram and lived in the city of Aizawl scatteredly. And they meet each other over and over again and they contrived to maintain the Church of Gospel Baptist. Through this contrivation, this Church was established in Aizawl. They were going through as the other Church.
It was consistedly started on 18/4/1993. It is exactly unknown that how many believers were in this Church. Most probably, around three or four house but in percentage or member there were around fifteen to twenty members at the beginning.
They had been living without Pastor for a long time. But some of the evangelists and Pastors used to visit them from Burma. They are basically from Gospel Burma Baptist Association. They were approaching to year by year. They had been living for 14 years without having any Pastor, but they were increasing more than 100 people, so. The year passed by and they have taken Rev.Raldokhuma for a pastor who had an M.Div Degree. Then, he was taking care of this Church for 2 years 2005 March to 2007. After this they were given a new pastor Anthony Ceulala from Association of Mizoram. This Church had different department such as Decons, Gospel women fellowship, Gospel Baptist Youth Fellowship and all the essential things.
2) The second Establishment of Gospel Baptist Church in Zokhawthar mizoram
As the first Church was growing yearly by yearly through numerically and spiritually, this Church started some of the place in Mizoram. They had even an Evangelist missionaries due to the matter of growing up in spiritually and numerically. This first Church sent an evangelist and missionary to the boundary of India, Zokhawthar in order to establish the Church. Some year later missionaries were in this place. The people of this rural started to establish the Church of Gospel Baptist. And it was going on through the difficulties, trials and too many types of problems then it was consistedly established by the grace of God.
In the establishment of this Church, there were some of the needful persons involved with such as Rev. Lalmawia and his family, Mr. Zalingthanga, Mr.Thasellova, Mr.Lalsavunga, Mr. T.C. Thatintaia and Mr. Tum tumhleisanga etc. And also they were around 75 members in this Church by the initial establishment. Right after they established they had a pastor who was involved in the initial establishment. This Pastor Rev. Lalmawia was taking care of this Church from 2001-2005.
The Church members were increasing slowly but surely, by the helped of God. Later they posted Rev. Lalmawia to another place. Rev. Jamesthiauva (India) took place in this Church to take care at the Church members.
They also had a different type of department such as presbytery Decons, Gospel, Baptist women. Fellowship, Gospel Baptist youth fellowship and Sunday school. All these department were going through the Doctrine of Fundamental.
3) The Third Church establish in Champhai Mizoram
It is established through evangelist of the former establish Church. Before establishing or called as a Church, it was fellowship of lai Christian. One of the great famous pastor came into this fellowship and been for a long time. Then he gave an encouragement to transform this fellowship as a Church of gospel Baptist Church. He asked to the Lai Christian fellowship Pastor Rev. Jamesthiauva, would he like to change or not?. Then Rev. Jamesthiauva, therefore carefully reasoned with the fellowship’s decons about the invitation to change as a Church. And at last, by their all accord, they change as a Church of Gospel Baptist Church.
Rev. Jamesthiauva continued being as a pastor in a Church for a few months, since 29/7/2001 to 31/3//02. But Rev. Jamesthiauva fortunately or unfortunately wanted to continue his further study. He thereby took a permission in the office of Gospel Baptist Church for the further studies. Due to that matter, Pastor Sanlilian was posted in to this Church as a Pastor from Myanmar Association.
This Church also have had a variety of department such as, decons, Gospel Baptist women fellowship, Gospel Baptist youth fellowship and a children Sunday School. All this department are going through the doctrine of fundamental as well.
4. The fourth Church Establish in Khawzawl Mizoram
This Church was established recently through Champhai Gospel Baptist Church. They felt that Kahuzawl people need a good workers of God to have a intimacy with them. Then, they sent a Pastor to have a fellowship with Khawzawl people. Due to this matter the Church was establish with the supports of Khawzawl people.
In the beginning of this Church, there were fifteen (15) houses. But in a person there were approximately fifty-nine persons. It was exactly started in 2003, since the beginning constantly through the help of God.
A new Pastor Rev. Sanliliana was posted in this Church later years. This pastor had taken care of them for half an year. And Rev. Jamesthiauva was again posted in this Church over Rev. Sanliliana. Since 2008 he started being in Khawzawl as a pastor by the grace of God. It is going on yet under the fundamentals doctrine. It is mostly depending on the fundamental as well.
This, too, has a division of departments such as Decons, Gospel Baptist women fellowship, Gospel Baptist youth fellowship and children Sunday School. This all departments are still maintaining by the grace of God.1
B. Doctrine of Rapture and Tribulation according to the Gospel Baptist Church
1) Doctrine of Rapture according to Gospel Baptist Church
a) The structure of the Rapture
According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus Christ in His glory will descend the first from the sky. While He is still in the air, the believer will be taken upto meet Him on the clouds (1 Thess. 4:16,17).2 This bodily transformation would also be experienced by Christians living at the time of Jesus return, As Paul told the Corinthians, “we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed…. The dead will raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (vv.51-53). Thus experience of glorification for those alive at Christ’s return begins at His appearing (cf. 1 Thess. 4:17).3
1) A signal shall be given:- “The Lord himself, at a given signal, at the voice of an archanged and at the sound of the trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven” (1 Thess. 4:16). “….. we shall all be changed, in an instant…. At the last trumpet. The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall raise incorruptiable, and as for us, we shall be changed” (1 Cor.15:52).4
2) Jesus Christ himself shall come to seek His own:- “The Lord Himself, at a given signal…. Shall descend from heaven…. We shall all together be taken up to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the lord” (1 Thes. 4:16,17). What happiness it will be for us to be able to rush to meet Him!. At last our eyes shall see the king in His beauty; at last the proof of our faith shall have “for [its] result the praise, the glory, and the honor when Jesus Christ appears” (1 Peter 1:7).5
3) All deceased believers to be resurrected in that moment:- The rapture is above all the joyous experiences of the Church, which is going to rush to meet her heavenly spouse. But the redeemed of all the ages shall participate in it, since the blessed resurrection shall take place at one time, “The hour is coming when all those who are in the grave shall hear his voice (that of the son of man ), and shall go out. Those who are believers will raise for life, that is the first resurrection. Concerning the first resurrection it is written, “Happy and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection! The second death shall have no power at all over them; but they shall be priest of God and Christ, and they shall reign with him during a thousand years”( Rev 20:6). “As all died in Adam, the same also shall all live in Christ, but each one in his order, Christ as the first fruits, then those who belong to Christ, at the time of his coming” (1 cor.15: 22,23; 1Thes.4:15,16).
So all the souls at rest with the lord who are waiting the final triumph shall receive in that moment the resurrection body.6
4) Destiny of believers whom the lord will find still living The teaching of Paul is clear: “See, I am telling you a mystery: we shall not all die, but we shall be changed…. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and as for us, we shall be changed. For it is necessary that this corruptible body be reclothed with incorruptibility, and that this mortal body be reclothed with immortality” (1 Cor.15: 51 –53). “Here in effect is what we declare to you to the word of the lord: we the living, who remain for the coming of the dead in Christ shall be raised first. Following that, we the living, who are remaining, shall all be taken up together with them on the clouds, to meet the lord in the air” (1Thess. 4:15-17).
Consequently, without passing through death the believers living on earth at the moment shall be “change”. That is to say, they also shall receive the body of the resurrection. Paul said, “We the living, we shall be changed.” Since he did not know the date of the return of the lord, he doubtless had the hope of being present with the living. The lord alone shall decide if he wishes to take us sooner or to let us wait for his return, and what he does will be done well. The essential thing is that dead or live we shall have part in the rapture.7
5) Place of the meeting of Christ and His church Paul said that, “We shall all together be taken up… on the clouds to meet the lord in the air, and thus we shall be always with the lord’ (1Thess. 4:17). Jesus Christ, like the leaders of this world, could have grouped around Him all His own somewhere on the earth. But no, the church is not of this world. She is spiritual and from above. Our vocation is heavenly (Heb 3:1) we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; likewise it is in the heavenly places that by faith we are already seated with Christ (Eph.1:3; 2:6). Finally, it is in the heavens, not here below, that God has reserved for us a heritage which cannot be corrupted, or soiled, or wethered (1 Peter 1:4). It is, therefore, natural that our divine spouse should come to take away this Church from this earth, where she is a stranger and traveler, in order to bring her into His presence forever.8
6) How long shall it take for the believers to be taken up “See I am telling you a mystery; we shall not all die, but we shall all be change, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:15,52). But the taking up of the Church shall surprise all men. He shall comes as lighting, as a thief in the night; and each one shall be seized in the midst of his occupation or his sleep (Matt. 24:27, 40-43). “Therefore watch, for you do not know when the master of the house shall come, whether in the evening, or the middle of the night, or at the cock crowing, or the morning; fear best he find you asleep at his sudden coming” (Mark 13:35, 36). “I tell you, in that night, two persons who are in the same bed…. One shall be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34-36).
Since Jesus must take up all the believers scattered on the face of the earth in the same moment, it is clear that some shall be surprised in their fields, at their meals, or in their beds, evening, midnight, cock crowing or mornings.9
7) The rapture will be “elective”:- It will not only separate the saints from unbelievers but it will separate husbands from wives, brother from sisters, friend from friend.
“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; one shall be taken, and the other left two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left” Luke 17:34-36. Two in “bed” indicates night; two grinding at the mill, morning or evening; two in field mid-noon. This shows that the rapture will happen all over the earth at the same time or as the Apostle describes it in a “moment” or the “twinkling of an eye”. “As the lightning cometh out of the cast, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the son of men be” (Matt. 24:27) is the way Jesus puts it.
The “rapture” will be the most startling “event” of this age and dispensation. As is to occur in the “twinkling of an eye” and all over the earth at the same time.10
b) The time of Rapture
Rapture will happen in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52), and Jesus Christ will come to seek His own as the lightning, as a thief in the night. Therefore, there exists no infallible sign permitting us to fix the date of this great event. Since the Rapture can take place suddenly and without any other previous morning, it is simply a matter our being ready. Are we?
It seems, however, that the Church shall be taken up before the Great Tribulation.11
1) Because thou hast kept the word of perseverance in me, I will keep thee also from the hour of temptation which is going to come over the entire world, to prove the inhabitants of the earth” (Rev.3:10). The Greek text says indeed, “I will thee out of the hour of temptation”, which in the language of the Apocalypse can only mean the tribulation.
2) The judgments of the tribulation are called “the wrath of the lamb” (Rev. 6:16). Now the Church does not have to dread this wrath: she waits Jesus, not as her judge, but as her spouse to celebrate with him marriage of the lamb (Rev.19:7-9).
3) Judgment must commence at the House of God (1 Pet.4:17). But if God begins with us, it is precisely in order that we shall not be condemned with the world (1 Cor.11:32).
4) “When these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your deliverance drowse near” (Luke 21:28). How can we begin to straighten and rejoice while having the perspective of the tribulation? It is precisely from having that we shall be delivered. So that, the Church will be taken up before tribulation. Amen.12
c) The purpose of Rapture
Jesus will come first into the region of our atmosphere, and the “dead in Christ,” and the living saints” shall be “ caught up” to meet him “in the air.” Then after the risen and translated saints have been Judged and reworded for their works and they, as the church, the Bride of Christ, have been married to him.13
1) The Judgment of the Church. After the Church has been taken out of the world it is to be “Judged” Not for sin, but for the works, at the “Judgment seal of Christ”14
2) Judgment seal of Christ. “We must all appear before the ‘Judgment seal of Christ’ that every one may receive the things ‘done in the body’ according to that he hath done, whether it be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ (worthless)’ 2 Cor. 5:10.
It will not be a Judgment in the sense of a “trail” to see whether the judge are innocent (saved) or guilty (lost), for it is a Judgment of the Save only” it will be like the judges stand at a fair, or race Track, where rewords are distributed to the successful contestant. Paul describes such a scene in 1 Cor. 9: 24- 27.
It is not a Judgment for sin, but for “work”. This Judgment is described in 1 Cor. 3: 11-15. If any men’s work ‘abide’ which he hath built there upon he shall receive a ‘reword if any man’s work shall be ‘burned’ he shall suffer ‘loss: but ‘he himself shall be saved: yet so as by fire”.
The result of this judgement is “reword” or “loss”. All our “bad” and ‘dead works”, represented by the wood, hay and stubble, will be consumed and only our “good work” shall remain. There is much which passes for Christian service which is merely and secular and does not count in our eternal reword. For those who deserve a “reward” it will be the crowning day.
After the crecian games were all over the runners, wrestlers and successful contestants assembled before the “Bema” or judges stand, which was an elevated seat on which the umpire sat and the winners receive a “corruptible crown” of laurel leaves. Some had no reword they had lost the victors crowns” but while there was no reword there was no punishment, they were no cart out.15
3) New Testament speaks of five crowns
1) The Crown of “Life”
This is the “Martyrs” crown, and is mentioned twice. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (testing) for when he is ‘tried’ (at the judgement seat of Christ), he shall receive the ‘Crown of life’ which the lord hath promised to them that love Him” James 1:2.
“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer; behold, the devil shall cost some of you into prison, that may tried (tested) and you shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful ‘unto death’ and I will give thee a ‘crown of life’ Rev.2:10.16
2) The crown of “Glory”
This is the elder’s or “pastors” crown, give by the chief shepherded when He shall appear. But it is not for those who serve for “filthy lucre” or “lord it over God’s heritage”. 1 Pet.5:2-4.
3) The crown of “Rejoicing”
This is the “soul winner’s” crown. Those brought to Jesus by us will be our “crown of rejoicing” at this coming. 1 Thes. 2:19,20, Phil.4:1.
4) The crown of “Righteousness”
This is the crown of those who “love His appearing” and will be given in “that day” – the day of His appearing. 2 Tim.4:8
5) The crown “incorruptible”
This is the “victor’s” crown and is for those who “keep under their body”. 1 Cor.9:25-27. Who do not yield to their fleshly lusts. Who do not permit themselves to be diverted from the master’s work by worldly amusement and pleasure, nor saturate their body with drugs.
If we do not want to be “ashamed at His coming”, 1 John 2:28, let us see to it that we keep our body “under” and so live that we shall secure a crown. Amen.17
2) Doctrine of Tribulation, According to the Gospel Baptist Church
a) The fact of the tribulation
Our lord’s prophecy does not stand alone. It is backed up by other prophecies both in the old and new testament.
Turning to the Old Testament we find in Jer. 30:4-7, that it is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble”, and is compared in its sufferings to the “birth-pangs” of a women. In Ezk. 20:34-38 it is spoken of as the time when Israel shall “Pass under rod”, and in Ezk.22:19-22, we read how that God is going to cast Israel into His “Melting Pot”, where they are to be refined as “god is refined”. Time of Trouble for His people, the Jews. Dan.12:1.
From there references we see that “The Great-tribulation on” is something that has to do with the Jewish people and is a judgement through which they must pass a “refining process” to fit them again be God’s chose people. Indirectly the Gentiles will be effected by it, but the Church will be “caught out” before that “Great and terrible day of the lord”.
In New Testament we have two descriptions of it.
The first is by Jesus in his olivet Discourse, matt. 24: 9-22, and the second is the Blood of Revelation, chap 6: 1 to 19: 21, where in the breaking of the “seals” the sounding of the “trumpets” and the occur during the tribulation period.18
b) The “Time” of the Tribulation
The time of the Tribulation then is “after” the church has been “caught out”, and during the reign on antichrist on the earth.
The prophet Daniel in his vision of the “Seventy weeks” (Dan. 9:20-27) was told that It would be 69 weeks from the going forth of the Edict to restore and rebuild Jerusalem unto Messiah the prince.” Those were “prophetic weeks,” in which each week stood for “seven years” and they were laterally fulfilled, for it was exactly 483 years of 360 days, from the going forth of the Edict, B. C 445, until Jesus rode in trumph into Jerusalem, A.D. 30 and was hailed as the promised son of David.
Within a week the Jesus had Jesus crucified and then “God’s clock” stopped, and remaining “one” week, the “Seventieth,” has still to be fulfilled. In the meantime, in the break between the “sixty ninth” and “seventieth” week, the Holy sprit is gathering out the Church, and when it is complete it will be taken away, and then “God’s clock” will begin to tick again, because he will again be dealing with His people the Jews.
It is during this last, or “ Seventieth week” of Daniel’s “Seventy weeks,” that the tribulation is to occur, and as the “weeks,” of the already fulfilled “Sixty-nine” weeks, were each “Seven years” in length, so this last, or “Seventieth week,” must be the same. The length then of the “Tribulation period” should be “Seven years,” but Jesus tells as in Matt. 24: 22, that for the “Elect’s sake” these day shall be shortened. Not the “Elect” of the Church, for they are “Caught out” before the tribulation, but the “Elect” of Israel, the 144,000 “sealed ones “of Rev 7: 1-8.19
c) The chronology of Revelation
Turning again to Revelation 6, which introduces the Tribulation period, we must examine this book carefully for the chronology, or sequence of events. Chapter 6, 8, 9, and 18 are the keys.
Chapter 6. introduces the seal Judgments which make up the first quarter of the tribulation period. The seventh seal then introduces the seven trumpets, which indicates that we are carried into second quarter of the Tribulation, as described in chapter 8 and 9. The seventh trumpet, in turn, Introduces the seven bowl Judgment, which comprise the last half of tribulations period. Everything else between chapters 7 and 8 must be placed within the consecutive went of there three Judgments. Fire works display, brigh objects will scatter through the heavens in proper sequence and then suddenly one will explode in to several others. Then just when they are almost gone, one of them bursts in to several more. John saw the seven seal broken one at a time; then the seventh one introduced the seven bowls. Each of these Judgements, where breaking a seal, flowing a trumpet or pouring out a bowl, is a symbolic announcement in heaven of an events that actually takes place on earth.20
d) The purpose of tribulation
Having pointed out the fact of the seven-year tribulation period which will yet come upon this earth, we should examine God’s purpose in sending it. We are not left to conjecture, for it was revealed to Daniel at the same place on Mt.Mariah where Solomon’s temple was built over the place where Abraham had prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, symbolically preparing the way for Israel to have her sins cleaned through the anticipation of the eventual death of Christ on the cross. It could also refer to the mellenial kingdom that will consummate the tribulation and when in that age of righteousness that all Christian’s year for, the only answer to the heartaches and problems of this world.21
e) What begins the Tribulation period
Some Christian have the erroneous idea that the rapture of the Church will occur at the end of the tribulation. There is no scripture to support this view other than the slight suggestion of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 that accompanying Christ, who will shout from heaven, will be the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, indicating that as Christ comes to take His Church, possibly the angel Michael will come back to the earth to again lead the children of Israel as he did in Old Testament days.
The actual event inaugurating the tribulation is found in Daniel 9:27 when the Anti Christ, “the prince that shall come”, makes a covenant with Israel for seven years. Even though he will break that covenant, his signing will trigger the prophetic clock of God and from that moment on only seven years will be left for man on the earth. One of the reasons we know Christ is coming before the tribulation to rapture His Church is because the rapture is secret thing. The glorious appearing will not be secret but well known, for exactly seven years will elapse from the from the signing of the covenant to the glorious appearing of Christ on the earth.
It may be that when Christ raptures the Church, the time he received the prediction of the “seventy weeks”. (Note Dan.9:24). God never does anything without a purpose and here we find that He had six things in mind.
1. “To finish the transgression”. This time of suffering will finish the transgression of Israel, which is the rejection of her Messiah. During the tribulation, the people of Israel will turn to Christ in great revival and will become witnesses who will go forth and preach the Gospel around the world, as will see in the study of Chapter 7. Actually, the tribulation period will help cause a great revival in Israel.
2. “To make an end of sings”. The word “make an end” literally mean “to seal up”. This period of time will end with the binding of Satan, which will “seal up” sin. Man’s cup of iniquity is filled to ever flowing and God brings judgement upon the earth for man’s rejection of His son.
3.“To make reconciliation for inequity”. Again, this is a reference to the revival of Israel, when they will be reconciled to God through Him whom they rejected and whom they asked Pilate to crucify.
4. “To bring in everlasting righteousness”. When Israel experiences her revival, the age of righteousness or the millennial kingdom of Christ will be ushered in. through there will be a brief insurrection at the end, it will be so short-lined as not to interrupt this final period of everlasting righteousness that will lead into the new era of the future, describe in Revelation 21 and 22.
5. “To seal up the vision and prophecy”. When Israel has turned to Christ, there will no longer be a need for prophets visions and prophecy.
6. “To anoint the most Holy”. This could refer to the Holy the Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel the next day, the next week, or who know how much later. There are sufficient signs existing today to indicate that this event could take place soon: for example, Israel’s return into the land of Palestine to become a nation, with whom the Antichrist will deal; the one-world Church that will dominate the first half of the tribulation period; and the craze for one-world government, already in existence and continuing together momentum until it culminates in the signing of the covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. From that point God’s prophetic clock will begin to tick and man will have only seven years left.22
f) Who will be in the Tribulation
Since it seems evident that the coming of Christ is close at hand, men living today are keenly interested in whether or not they will have to life under the Antichrist during the tribulation. In all probability most of the present generation will go into the tribulation.
The great exception to that is the Church of Jesus Christ. If you are a member of the body of Christ – that is, if you have personally invited Jesus Christ into your heart-you will not go into the tribulation. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 that the lord Jesus has “delivered as from the wrath to come”, referring to the tribulation period. Revelation 3:10 also clarifies that the Church of Philadelphia, which is the present-day Church of true believers, will be delivered from the tribulation. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”.
In the final analysis, then, you decide whether or not you will go into the tribulation. Your acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ determines your relation to that time of great misery and heartache. If you accept Jesus Christ, you will be raptured out before it begins. If your have rejected Him, then according to all that the bible teaches you will be one of those unfortunate individuals who will live at the time of the greatest misery in all the history of mankind.23
EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION
As author has certainly gone through the teaching of the fundamental and Gospel Baptist based on “A biblical study of the Fundamental teaching of the Pre-Tribulation and Rapture theory with special emphasis of Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram”, write could realize and imagine that the Church members of the Gospel Baptist really need that the word pre-tribulation and rapture theory.
There’s no more contradiction between the fundamental and Gospel Baptist Church base on this subject. And we thereby, realize the fundamental’s teaching and Gospel Baptist Church teaching are going together smoothly. Due the study of this topic author could understand that Gospel Baptist Church in Mizoram really depend on the fundamental as well.
Moreover, many of the Christian or believers are in the confusion of pre-tribulation and rapture theory. But resercher could understand that mostly the people are believe in this study through writing this thesis.
And it is indescribable by no means theory notion, pertinences, but by the inspiration of God. Therby, nobody could say that wither its right or wrong too, But by unknowing that whether its right or wrong, it is explicable as well.
The study of pre- Tribulation and rapture theory is often desirable to home an a discoursement for the confirmation of the real. At the same time every one who are living in the world should not fully depend on this study in oneself doctrine but instead always to on God and see the greatness of God. Who ever depends on God never put in to a shameful manner but into great man. So, therefore this views is the fact according to the Biblical study of fundamental teaching.
It is really essential for the believers to know about this. For this can really help us to be ready for God to seven many should to God. Therefore the author want to make sure the people to know the fact or real of this pre- tribulation rapture theory.
house, 1961), ).1538.
5 Ralph P.Martin & Peter H Davids, Dictionary of the later’s New Testament its development, (England: Intervarsity Press, 1997), P.1179
7 J Dwight Pentecost, Things to come a study in Biblical Eschatology (Secunderabad: Om Books 1994), P.158.
9 J.Dwight Pentecost, Things to come. A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Secunderabad: Om Books, 1999), P.164.
13 H.Wagne House, Christ of Christian Theology and Doctrine, (Michigan: Zondervan Publishers, 1973), P.130.
[1] J. DwightPentocost, Things to come (Michigan : Academic Book Zondervan Publishing house,1958),p.193.
7 Homer Duncan, Prepare now for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, (Texas: Missionary Crusader, I N C, 1981) P.3.
9 John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuch (Eds), The Bible knowledge commentary (U S A: Chariot Victors publishers, 1983) P.76.
11 John F. Walvoord, The blessed hope and the tribulation (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing house, 1977) P.162.163.
13 Henry Clarence Thiessen, Introductory Lectures in systematic theology, (Michigan: Wm. B. Eerolmans publishing company, 1949) P.451.
[4]. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zech, The Bible knowledge commentary (England: Victor publishing 2000) P. 1361.
4 R.C. Sproul, The last days according to Jesus (Michigan; A division of baker book house co, 2000) P. 169.
7 Herbert Lockyer, All the doctrines of the Bible (Michigan; Zondervan publishing house, 1964). P. 273.
15 Ronald A. Ward, Commentary on land 2 Thessalonians (Hexes: Waco wordbooks publisher, 1973) P. 47, 48.
17 Paul D. Felberg The case for the pre-tribulation; Rapture position (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing house, 1999) P.P. 50.
19 Christian Missionary Society, soon coming world shaking events (Rigona: Laverne Press, 1980) P.P. 297, 298.
27 Allen Beechick, The Pre-Tribulation rapture (Colorado: Accent book publication, inc, 1980), P. 267.
20 Tim Lahaye, Revelation illustrated and made plain, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1975), PP.93-94.
[The origin of gospel Baptist church source is just composed by my knowledge and some Church elders of the Gospel Baptist church - Author]
