Thanks for your work, Boogieman.
I once believed in the pre-trib rapture because that’s what I grew up with as an evangelical. It didn’t take many years of study before I came to the same conclusions you have. Not only is your position based on sound study of the Bible, but it is also based in logic.
Being a Christian in America is not like being a Christian in China or Iran, where openly professing your faith opens up you and your family to torture, imprisonment, or a terrible death. Why would God spare us those fates during the tribulation when so many suffer the same now and have through persecutions over the last 2,000 years?
I’ve also learned to study prophecy and, indeed, the whole Bible in the light of a Jerusalem-centric viewpoint. Everything falls into place so easily when we don’t force a modern Western viewpoint on God’s word.
I have no quarrel with those who are pre- trib or mid-trib — it’s not a necessary article of faith. I could also be wrong. But I believe that most Christians, including myself, will adjust their eschatology accordingly when the antichrist makes his appearance. Things that may not be clear now will become clear as the end draws near.
“It didn’t take many years of study before I came to the same conclusions you have. Not only is your position based on sound study of the Bible, but it is also based in logic.”
Yes, I think the conclusion is pretty clear, but there are three things that I see which lead people to this error. First, as you said, many are taught these things in church, or from their youth, and don’t question it. Second, it’s a comforting thought to think that we won’t have to worry about some of these fearful events that are prophesied, so there is a strong emotional pull to the pre-trib rapture position. Lastly, as with anything in prophecy, it can easily be misread and misinterpreted, especially if one doesn’t spend a great deal of time studying the Scriptures yourself.
“I’ve also learned to study prophecy and, indeed, the whole Bible in the light of a Jerusalem-centric viewpoint. Everything falls into place so easily when we don’t force a modern Western viewpoint on God’s word.”
Yes, this is important to a lot of prophecy, since Jerusalem really is the focal point on this Earth of much of God’s plan. There are prophecies for other nations, and I believe there are prophecies for the West, but it can be hard to see these clearly, since there was no “England”, “Germany”, “France”, “America”, etc, at the time the prophecies were written.
I agree with you, the disputes about the timing of the rapture aren’t essential to salvation. One thing that I worry about though, is if some will be misled by false expectations. If a great many Christians are expecting to be raptured by Christ before the Antichrist reveals himself, then what might happen if the Antichrist reveals himself first, but in a semblance of Christ? Will some of these people be deluded into thinking that this is the Second Coming, thinking that Christ will return first?