Extra-Biblical Evidence for the Pre-Trib Rapture

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

[amessenger4god]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[AlienandStranger]

America resembles Sodom and Gomorrah more each day and things didn’t turn out too well for those places. God also said that he would curse those that curse Israel.

I believe God put Obama in office at this time to bring judgement upon the US, and with us out of the picture, the world will be in chaos, Israel will stand alone, and what’s written in Revelation will come to pass.

I believe we Christians will be removed before that happens.

[ravenwolf]

“Pretrib is just an excuse to escape persecution - especially for Americans who believe they are the only Christians that matter in the world and the world revolves around them.”

You lie!

John 14:3
1 Thess, 4:16-18
1 Cor. 15:51-53
Matthew 25:13

Prove me wrong with scriptures! All else is projection.

---

It is nothing more than an Alice in wonderland story.

[CynicalBear]

Are you always that snippy to new people here? Well, I say:

Welcome aboard amessenger4god!

[fortheDeclaration]

The Pre-Trib Rapture is based on the fact that the Church is not Israel and it is Israel who goes through the Tribulation, not the Church.

The timing of the Rapture is found in that fact, not any New Testament verse.

[CynicalBear]

>>The necessity of 3 comings for pre-trip rapture to be true is a problem.<<

There is no third coming with the rapture. We meet Him in the air. At His second coming "all eyes behold Him" but not so in the rapture.

[CynicalBear]

This subject needs to be brought up more often. People need to know that when millions of people are missing from this earth they realize it wasn’t aliens.

[CynicalBear]

>>One friend actually told me that when Yeshua comes for His church that it’s not really the Second Coming because He hadn’t touched down on Earth so that doesn’t count.<<

He doesn't come down. We go up to meet Him and every eye does NOT see Him as it does when He comes to defeat the armies of Satan.

[CynicalBear]

>>So, if the “rapture” happens midway through the tribulation, who are these living believers that the Bible tells us are transformed at the first resurrection when Christ returns?<<

The rapture is the part of the first resurrection. The "first resurrection" simply means the believers.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Revelation 3:10 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.

Yet you claim that faithful believers will suffer the wrath of God?

[RnMomof7]

Bingo

[CynicalBear]

>>I believe we Christians will be removed before that happens.<<

Yep, that last seven years is for Israel to be saved and punish an unbelieving world. True believers will have been taken out before that seven years begins.

[RnMomof7]

This has been subject of disagreement for many many years.. And it will not be resolved until the return of Christ

Personally I can not find scripture to settle the issue.. I look at the suffering of saints in the scriptures and through the ages and wonder why we should think that a 'special" generation would be spared that

It is difficult to see the beheadings and persecution happing to our brothers and sisters and to think that somehow it could happen to us...Will we stand strong? Would we hold our testimony? ..It is much nicer to think we will be taken out of it..

I pray for the courage to withstand a persecution should it come

[Gamecock]

Amen.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

LOL!

So is Noah’s Ark right?
Are you Christian? Do you cherry-pick verses to suit your worldview?

I notice you can’t refute it with Biblical verses. I patiently await a Biblically-based response.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

The Millennial Kingdom is a totally different matter all together.
I’m using an allegory that the Tribulation will be hell on earth. Those who are stuck here (unbelievers in Christ) will have two choices:

Convert to the A/C and his system of deity worship while taking his mark or die in faith in Christ.

Who’s promoting a false doctrine?

[Roman_War_Criminal]

What you said bears repeating:

“America resembles Sodom and Gomorrah more each day and things didn’t turn out too well for those places. God also said that he would curse those that curse Israel.

I believe God put Obama in office at this time to bring judgement upon the US, and with us out of the picture, the world will be in chaos, Israel will stand alone, and what’s written in Revelation will come to pass.

I believe we Christians will be removed before that happens.”

It’s happening before our very eyes!

[Boogieman]

“Those who are stuck here (unbelievers in Christ) will have two choices:

Convert to the A/C and his system of deity worship while taking his mark or die in faith in Christ.”

Then why does the Bible tell us that there will be living believers who are transformed at the same time the dead believers are resurrected, which happens when Christ returns, at the end of the tribulation?

[Boogieman]

“And it will not be resolved until the return of Christ”

Well, when the tribulation starts and we are all still here, I think that will resolve it for a lot of people who are uncertain, or mistaken in their notions.

For others, it may lead them into even greater error.

[SkyDancer]

If He doesn’t come down then where is He?

[CynicalBear]

>>Well, when the tribulation starts and we are all still here<<

If you're still here when the tribulation starts remember what we said here. I trust if you are a true believe in Christ alone you will be pleasantly surprised to out of here when it starts.

[StoneWall Brigade]

I agree with you