Pre Tribulation

JAMAICA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

PRE-TRIBULATION

RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO

MR. BARRY HALL

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQURIEMENTS OF THENCOURSE

APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

DEPARTMENT OF BIBLE AND THEOLOGY

BY

ALICIA ROBINSON

KINGSTON, JAMAICA

OCTOBER 26, 2015

Since the time when Christ came to earth to die for Adam’s fallen descendants, and rising on the third day, ascending into heaven, people have been looking for his return. The return is referred to as the rapture and it will occur according to scripture verses such as John 14:1-3, Acts 1:9-11, and Revelation 22: 7,12,20.These verses reassures believers of his coming. Whether the tribulation will come before, during or after his return to earth; is a point that theologians have wrestled with over the centuries. In this paper one’s belief will be highlighted throughout the paper based upon the arguments and consistency of such arguments. One will also show clear evidence through examples, critiques and scriptures why pre or post tribulation makes sense and will come before/after Christ return. The purpose of this paper is to bring to light or to enlighten the readers in their spiritual darkness that pre-tribulation is the correct way to view apocalyptic arrangement of the second coming of Jesus Christ. In an attempt to effectively bring clarity to its reader’s, one will now define some key terminologies.

Tribulation according to the Evangelical Dictionary for Theology is defined as, “trouble or affliction of any kind (Deuteronomy 4:30; Matthew 13:21; 2 check out 7:4). In Romans 2:9 "tribulation and anguish" are the penal sufferings that shall overtake the wicked. In Matthew 24:21 Matthew 24:29, the word denotes the calamities that were to attend the destruction of Jerusalem.”

Pre-Tribulation holds that the church, the body of Christ, in its entirety, will, by resurrection and translation, be removed from the earth before any part of the seventieth week of Daniel begins. Post-Tribulation holds that the Church will continue on the earth until the Second Advent at the end of this present age, at which time the church will be caught in the clouds to meet the Lord who has come into the air on his way from heaven to earth for the Second Advent, to return with him.

The English word Rapture does not occur anywhere in the King James, New King James, NIV, or other modern translation of the Bible. In fact, the word itself did not come into existence until around the very late 1500s A.D. Among many Christians, especially those in certain parts of the Protestant world, the meaning of the rapture is a snatching up to heaven of true Christians who are still alive at some time just before or during the Great Tribulation.”

Pre-tribulationalism is based on literal interpretation of scripture which comes with its advantages as well as its disadvantages like any other method. This view holds fast to the dispensationalist approach and sees the Church as very different from Israel. It also looks at the fact that Jesus came during the first coming but was rejected by Israel who is the bride of God. Hence he will be coming back again to establish his millennial ruling.

The post-Tribulationalist holds that believers will be exposed to the final afflictions under the Anti-Christ. This theory denies most things (not all) that have to deal with dispensationalism. Therefore, the Church is not different from Israel and the Church can be placed into the period of the Lord’s Day or Jacob trouble. Hence, the promises of Israel are fulfilled in the Church. Post-tribulations believes that signs must be fulfilled before the Lord comes back, thus disregarding the imminence theory.

Does the Bible support a pre-tribulation or post-tribulation rapture?

Pre-tribulation views

Now that one has unpacked the theories of the rapture, the question is begged. “Does the Bible support Pre-tribulation or Post-tribulation?”

1 Thess. 5:9 "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." Pre-tribulation reasoning:

• The great tribulation is uniquely a time of God's wrath.

• God's wrath is poured out on all inhabitants of the earth.

• God