What is the PreWrath Rapture Theory?

[Chris]

What is the Pre-Wrath Rapture Theory?
By Chris Schang

The pre-wrath rapture theory is essentially the belief that the church will go through the tribulation up until the point of the sixth seal. The pre-wrath proponent takes the sixth seal as meaning that the wrath of God has started. However, there are numerous problems with this theory and we will discuss some of them here in this article. The first problem with the pre-wrath rapture timing view is that the proponents of this view do not seem to recognize the entire seven year tribulation period as the wrath of God. It is noteworthy that every time a two sided scroll is mentioned in the Bible it is indicative of judgment and wrath.

Further, the first four seals are known in Bible prophecy circles as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These four seals represent war (sword), famine, plague (pestilence), and wild beasts. Did you know that the Bible uses the same 4 judgments about 12-20 times in the Old Testament for judgment and symbols of God's wrath? It is true. These first four seals are judgments from God as the Tribulation period begins. Ezekiel 14:21 notes these instruments as "sword and famine and wild beast and plague". The pre-wrath rapture proponent has to ignore these facts in order to support his pre-wrath view.

Futher, the Bible is crystal clear that the church is not destined to wrath but to salvation through Jesus Christ. There are other verses that also promise to keep the church from the time and place of the Tribulation period which is described in the Bible as the hour of trial that has come on the earth. This is another reason why since the entire Tribulation period is the judgment and wrath of God, and the church will not be present for any of it.

Finally, the context of Revelation is indicative in the sixth seal that it is then that the wicked on earth finally realize that the wrath of God has been poured out on Earth. The Bible is not implying that the sixth seal is the time of the rapture or that God's wrath begins then. We have already shown that the entire seven year Tribulation period is the time of God's wrath. The pre-wrath rapture just simply can't stand that challenge of letting the Bible interpret the Bible. Futhermore, since all of the seven year Tribulation is the wrath of God, there is not possible way that the church would undergo some of the Tribulation judgments. It is simply not in God's character and past behavior to allow such a thing to happen. He has never punished the righteous with the wicked and he he is not going to start doing that in the Tribulation period.

I hope this article has been helpful and dispels the controversy around the pre-wrath rapture. This analysis proves yet again that the only rapture timing view that makes sense is the pre-tribulational rapture.

God bless

[ftwspursfan]

and thank you very much, Chris. I'm going to share this article as I have the others already!

[Chris]

and thank you very much, Chris. I'm going to share this article as I have the others already!

I got a copy of Grant Jeffrey's Prophecy Bible this weekend at a local Christian bookstore. The part about the Four Horseman was new to me but it makes sense. And I looked up and found there are about 12-20 different OT passages where God has passed judgment and wrath using these intstrument or a combination thereof. I saw Grant's TV show over the past few weeks and one of them he mentions this as being a good example of the Bible interpreting the Bible.

[Thoughtspaz]

Excellent post, Chris.

Guys like Showers, Garland and Fruchtenbaum have long pointed out that the 4th seal especially reflects OT examples of God's wrath.

BTW, technically, the pre-wrath model has God's wrath occurring after the 6th seal and prior to the 7th. Rosenthal actually equated God's wrath with the 7th trumpet. Because of this he had to come up with an elaborate and unconvincing argument that the 7th trumpet and rapture occurred right at the opening of the 7th seal. He argued that Rev 6:17 was futuristic, so he was essentially claiming that the unsaved could predict the not-yet-there day of the Lord.

[mattfivefour]

I agree, Chris. This is an excellent post.

[BiblicalCreationist]

I like your post Chris. I am actually new to this forum until today and I can tell you I just learned something from this post because at Christian Forums - there is this one woman who is so content on believing in the pre-wrath that its not funny. She is on the Eschatology section. If you guys want a link to it let me know. But thank you again.

Bro.Matthew

[Chris]

I like your post Chris. I am actually new to this forum until today and I can tell you I just learned something from this post because at Christian Forums - there is this one woman who is so content on believing in the pre-wrath that its not funny. She is on the Eschatology section. If you guys want a link to it let me know. But thank you again.

Bro.Matthew

Welcome to the board.

[mommaw]

I also learned from this post. Thank you

[BiblicalCreationist]

If CHRIS or any of you would like to answer to this feel free. People on Christian Forums believe in the pre-wrath rapture. I just posted Chris's Article on there about the pre-wrath -- My Username for that forum is WingsOfEagles07 and they said this:

Originally Posted by WingsOfEagles07 View Post

{{ The pre-wrath rapture theory is essentially the belief that the church will go through the tribulation up until the point of the sixth seal. The pre-wrath proponent takes the sixth seal as meaning that the wrath of God has started. However, there are numerous problems with this theory and we will discuss some of them here in this article. The first problem with the pre-wrath rapture timing view is that the proponents of this view do not seem to recognize the entire seven year tribulation period as the wrath of God. It is noteworthy that every time a two sided scroll is mentioned in the Bible it is indicative of judgment and wrath.
God bless }} (End Quote)

How do the Jews of today view that, since the Book of Daniel is about them? Thanks

Daniel 12:1 And in that the time, Miyka'el shall stand, the chief, the great, the one standing over sons of thy People.
And a Time of Tribulation/qliyewv <2347> becomes, which not has-become from to become a Nation, until the Time, that.
[Matt 24:21/Mark 13:19/Reve 7:14]

Matt 24:21 "For then shall be a great Tribulation/qliyiV <2347>, the such as not has become from beginning of world til of the now, neither not no may be becoming
[Dan 12:1/Rev 7:14]

[Thoughtspaz]

Probably one of the best critical analysis of this system has come from Dr Renald Showers' "The Pre-Wrath Rapture View".

What I like about it is that he uses Both Van Kampen and Rosenthal and quotes from their books extensively giving all the page references. He then goes to scripture and methodically points out the contradictions in that system. I highly recommend it.

If you haven't read it yet, get Dr Showers' "Maranatha - Our Lord, Come". It's one of the best defences of pretrib I've read.

[Thoughtspaz]

"If CHRIS or any of you would like to answer to this feel free. People on Christian Forums believe in the pre-wrath rapture."

I read through some of the posts and comments on that site. My feeling is that getting involved in debating there can be a trap and an exercise in futility. Not because the arguments put forward there are great but for exactly the opposite reason. Where do you start?

[Chris]

"If CHRIS or any of you would like to answer to this feel free. People on Christian Forums believe in the pre-wrath rapture."

I read through some of the posts and comments on that site. My feeling is that getting involved in debating there can be a trap and an exercise in futility. Not because the arguments put forward there are great but for exactly the opposite reason. Where do you start?

Exactly, too many errors, where does one even start.

[mattfivefour]

What would be the point? Is their belief a question of their salvation? No. They are His, if so be that they are trusting in Christ alone and have been truly born again. So, why argue when the time can be spent proclaiming the gospel to the lost and building one another up in the faith? Only the Holy Spirit can show someone the truth. They have the same scriptures as us. So, don't argue with them; pray for them. And if they persist in their belief, then they will just have to be surprised along with all the other non-preTribbers when they suddenly find themselves "caught up".

[BiblicalCreationist]

What would be the point? Is their belief a question of their salvation? No. They are His, if so be that they are trusting in Christ alone and have been truly born again. So, why argue when the time can be spent proclaiming the gospel to the lost and building one another up in the faith? Only the Holy Spirit can show someone the truth. They have the same scriptures as us. So, don't argue with them; pray for them. And if they persist in their belief, then they will just have to be surprised along with all the other non-preTribbers when they suddenly find themselves "caught up".

You know that is the same thing I told them. I was like, dude. Why are christians sitting here on forum (note: at Christian Forums) bickering between who has the correct doctrine of when the Rapture happens when there is a lost and dying world out there? I really did tell them that but no one said anything to it. Because I mean, I know we are not going to be here during the Tribulation Bless GOD. But I believe with you mattfivefour. I was just going to do this whenever I had time to do it. Every Saturday our church goes out on visitation. We got out around 150 tracts to houses. Please pray for this ministry that more will come out so we can have more tracts to spread. Amen!

[mattfivefour]

Every Saturday our church goes out on visitation. We got out around 150 tracts to houses. Please pray for this ministry that more will come out so we can have more tracts to spread. Amen!

Father, I pray Your blessing on the work these people are doing in the proclamation of Your gospel of Jesus Christ—and Him crucified. Your Word will not return to You void. May those who are going door to door not be discouraged by rejection or abuse; may their eyes be continually on You; may the love You have shed abroad in their hearts be a witness to bear out the Word they proclaim; may they rely exclusively on the power of Your Holy Spirit and not on the cleverness of their own words; and may their lives give evidence that You indeed are alive and indwell all those who call on You in repentance and in truth. In Jesus' name I ask, knowing that in that Name we have all things we need and that through that Name we have the confidence that You hear us, that You listen, and that You answer. Hallelujah! Amen and amen! \o/ \o/

[mikhen7]

At least they are pre-millenial! For the life of me, I do not understand why anyone wants to defend having to go through the tribulation - even if just a small part. Is just because they want to see God judge the world so they can say "Take that you loser" or possibly suffer themselves because they do not truly believe in the fullness of the blessed grace of the Lord and they need to feel some wrath to help make restitution for sin? I sincerely hope not.

God bless