Betraying The Bible: The Flawed Doctrine Of The Pre-Trib Rapture

The doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture has gained significant traction among evangelical circles, particularly in the United States. It advocates that believers will be taken up to heaven before a period of widespread tribulation on Earth, often framed as God's wrath being poured out on the unrighteous. However, upon closer examination of the Scriptures—especially when using the King James Version (KJV)—it becomes increasingly evident that this position lacks solid biblical support. This blog post will explore the origins of the pre-trib rapture doctrine and offer a critical examination of its biblical validity.

## ORIGINS OF THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE DOCTRINE

To understand the pre-tribulation rapture's theological positioning, it’s crucial to explore its origins. One of the earliest proponents of this view was John Nelson Darby, a 19th-century theologian and a key figure in the Plymouth Brethren movement. Darby's teachings on the rapture were further popularized through the publication of the Scofield Reference Bible in 1909, which included notes that advanced a dispensationalist interpretation of Scripture. 

Dispensationalism posits that God deals with humanity in different ways throughout different historical periods. Through this lens, the church is seen as a distinct entity separate from Israel, leading to the belief that the church will be removed before the tribulation; a wrath that is said to be directed toward unbelievers.

Despite its popularity, we must now turn our attention to the Scriptures to analyze whether the pre-trib rapture is biblically sound.

## SCRIPTURAL EXAMINATION

### 1. THE WORD "RAPTURE" IN SCRIPTURE

The first point of contention is the term "rapture" itself. Interestingly, the word "rapture" does not appear in the KJV Bible. It originates from the Latin word "rapere," which means "to seize" or "to snatch away" and often refers to 1 Thessalonians 4:17: 

*“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.”* 

This passage describes a future event where believers will indeed be 'caught up,' but it does not specify a timeline relative to the tribulation.

### 2. THE TIMELINE OF THE TRIBULATION

A significant element proponents of the pre-trib rapture rely on is the timing of the tribulation itself. They often cite Matthew 24, where Jesus speaks of future trials and tribulations:

*“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”* (Matthew 24:21)

However, Jesus also emphasizes endurance throughout tribulation in verses like Matthew 24:13:

*“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”*

Here, the implication is that believers are expected to endure trials rather than being removed from them, contradicting the idea of a pre-trib rapture.

### 3. THE SEALING OF THE FAITHFUL

In Revelation, John describes a time when the faithful are sealed. Revelation 7:3-4 reads:

*“Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”*

If believers are to be removed before tribulation begins, why then, in this text, would God be sealing His servants for protection during that time?

### 4. THE CHURCH'S ROLE IN TRIBULATION

The book of Revelation addresses the churches directly in chapters 2 and 3, warning them of trials ahead. For instance, in Revelation 2:10:

*“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”*

Believers are not promised an escape from trials but rather encouragement to remain steadfast during them. This further indicates that the church would still be present during the tribulation period rather than removed beforehand.

### 5. PAUL'S TEACHING ON THE COMING OF THE LORD

The Apostle Paul greatly contributes to our understanding of the "day of the Lord," which alludes to a future time of judgment. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, he writes:

*“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”*

In this passage, Paul states clearly that prior to the coming of Christ and the gathering of believers, a significant apostasy or falling away must occur. This challenges the pre-trib position, arguing for a sequence to events that allows for a tribulation period before Christ's return.

### 6. THE EXPERIENCE OF EARLY CHRISTIANS

The early Christians faced significant persecution and tribulation. Notably, the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:12-13:

*“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”*

Believers were encouraged to endure suffering, and a doctrine that claims they would escape such trials seems to present a different message than what was actually delivered in Scripture.

### 7. THE UNSCRIPTURAL NATURE OF DISJUNCTIVE TEACHINGS

Proponents of the pre-trib rapture often use disjunctive logic, separating the church from Israel and viewing the "Great Tribulation" as a time exclusively for Israel. However, the Scriptures do not support such an artificial divide. Romans 11:25-26 provides insight into the unity of God's purpose for His people:

*“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”*

The unfolding of God's plan involves both the church and Israel together, and there are numerous instances in the New Testament that teach about the one body of believers that exists across both groups.

## CONCLUSION

The pre-trib rapture doctrine, while popular among many modern-day Christians, appears to lack robust biblical grounding when scrutinized against Scripture, particularly when examined in the King James Version. 

1. It is essential to understand that the concept of the rapture as articulated by Darby and later popularized is based on interpretations that often lack explicit scriptural support.

  

2. The teachings throughout the New Testament on enduring trials, the lack of clear scriptural references to an escape clause for the church before the tribulation, and the thematic continuity of God’s plans for both Israel and the church all point toward a more nuanced understanding of the end times.

3. Instead of viewing tribulation as a period from which believers will be removed, the New Testament encourages preparation for trials and an understanding of the hope we have in Christ to sustain us through challenges.

The church must remain vigilant in studying the Scriptures, moving beyond popular interpretations and ensuring that our beliefs stand firmly on the foundation of God’s Word. As followers of Christ, we are called not to escape tribulation but to face it with faith, enduring until the end, as we await the glorious return of our Savior.