Pre-Trib. Or Pre-Wrath? - Study 1

"PRE-TRIB. OR PRE-WRATH?"

Study 1

INTRODUCTION

In the past few years, there have been many who have taken in hand to write on the

subject of "The Second Coming of Christ." So someone will say, "Why do we need

another book on the subject? I must say that I do not consider myself to be an authority

on the subject, but on the other hand, I believe that I can understand the Word of God as

well as any other. However, that still doesn’t answer the question as to why I am writing

this book? The answer is I have some questions I would like to raise and possibly cause

someone to think about this all important doctrine. Even if they draw a different

conclusion than I, it will still be worthwhile. This is a teaching that will effect the lives of

so many and could very well have a direct effect on you. I am not interested in changing

your mind about anything but it is my prayer that anyone reading these pages will examine them in the light of the Word of God.

The theology of many has in these last days done much to obscure and hide many Bible truths. There is probably no area of the Word of God that has been effected more than in the area of eschatology (the study of last things; the return of Christ, etc.). The Bible has much to say about the last seven years before the return of Christ to the earth. This time is called "The time of Jacob’s trouble," and "The seventieth week", in the

book of Daniel. Jesus told of this time of tribulation in Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke

21. The entire book of the Revelation is largely centered on this period of time. Much of

the books of Daniel and Ezekiel are dealing with this last seven years of earth’s history as

we know it. The second coming of Jesus Christ which is the blessed hope of every child

of God is most definitely tied to this seven years. All Bible believing people that I know

anything about believe that Jesus will come again during this time of the history of

mankind. The rapture, the resurrection, and the second coming of Jesus are all tied

together and cannot be separated. None of God’s people differ on the first 2,000 years

since Jesus went back to heaven with the promise, "I will come again and receive you to

myself, that where I am there you may be also." It is only about this last seven years that we cannot seem to agree. We don’t argue "If Jesus is coming, for we all know He is

coming, we just can’t decide "When". I would add that all this confusion may indeed

have a message in and of itself. Our Lord did say, "No one knows that day or that hour"

and the great truth of the Second coming is not to learn "When" but "BE READY

WHENEVER HE COMES". If you are not living for Jesus on a day to day basis, you will not be ready for His return, no matter when it comes.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT HERESY!

When we come to our conclusions, or when we examine the Scriptures and discover this view or that one to be contrary to what we believe is proper interpretation, we much be careful not to brand those with whom we disagree heretics, or their doctrine heresy.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. When the person and work of Christ are

involved we need to take a ridged stand on truth. I cannot have fellowship with anyone

who denies the deity of the Lord Jesus or who does not believe in the inspiration of

Scripture, etc. However, we should not separate with brethren that happens to share a different view than our own in areas of personal interpretation.

It is regrettable that this has not always been the case but that, on the contrary, fellowship has been broken between brethren who differ on such matters. There are far to many things that should join us together to let things like this divide us. Members of the same family should be able to disagree without being disagreeable.

So, the only thing I could ask of the reader is that they read this prayerfully and with an open mind. If at the end of this study, you say, "I don’t agree with this" – we will still be fellow members of the Family of God.

CHAPTER 1

PRE- TRIBBER Or PRE- WRATHER?

VIEWPOINTS ABOUT THE RAPTURE:

There seem to be four viewpoints as to what the Scripture teachs in relation to the

rapture of the church in respect to the Tribulation. They can be described in the following