H. D.

Williams
The Rapture

Theor i es About The Rapt ur e
By
H. D. Wi l l i ams, M.D., Ph.D.

Introduction
The Apostle J ohn reports that our Lord said, I will come again (J n. 14:3). The Apostle
Paul echoes those words when he said, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven
(1Thes. 4:17). There is no question that he is coming again, but many speculations have been
posed about His coming. Is His return pre-millennial, post-millennium, amillennial, pre-
tribulation, mid-tribulation, or post-tribulation? Is there a literal 1000 year period called the
millennium or should it be treated allegorically? Is His return one or two phases? Is the
tribulation, known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel or the Time of J acobs Trouble, occurring
throughout the church age and thus presently?




The timing of being caught up to be ever with the Lord (1 Thes. 4:17) on His return, called
the rapture,
1
Interestingly, many of the insights into Scripture concerning the Lords return and the
rapture were developed over the last one hundred and fifty years (Dan. 12:4). The discussion of
many tenets associated with the currently held theories about the rapture and second coming
is the issue. Surprisingly, some individuals believe the things on this chart should all
be allegorized, especially when they do not allegorize the first coming of our Lord.
CREATION
AGE OF
INNOCENCE
AGE OF
CONSCIENCE

AGE OF
GOVERNMENT

AGE OF
PROMISE OR
PATRIARCHAL
AGE OF
LAW

AGE OF
GRACE

MILLENNIAL
AGE

TRIBULATION,
7O
TH
WEEK OF
DANIEL, 7 YEARS

GREAT
WHITE
THRONE
JUDGMENT
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2
were considered during the Niagara Bible Conferences held each summer from 1878-1909.
During those conferences the view that events of the book of Daniel and Revelation had occurred
and thus were occurring, called the historic view, shifted to the belief by most men that the
Seventieth Week of Daniel was yet future. However, the two stage second return of Christ,
known as the Rapture and the Revelation, was not clearly seen at that time. Yet, they adopted in
1878 the strong statement in article 3 of the conference that the imminent return of Christ could
occur at any moment. It was over this issue among premillennialists that various theories about
the timing of the rapture began to mature. The discussion of the basic tenets frequently centered
on whether the cosmic events of Matthew 24 and the book of Revelation gave any clue
substantiating the return of the Lord at any moment or whether placing His return after the
cosmic events destroyed imminency.
Over the years, men such as J ohn N. Darby, A. J . Gordon, Robert Cameron, Nathaniel
West, D. L. Moody, W. J . Erdman, C. I. Scofield, Arno C. Gaebelein, R. A. Torry, Harry A.
Ironside, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Charles L. Feinberg, J ohn F. Walvoord, and many others entered
the discussions.
2
The debate has continued through the years and many significant hypotheses and
variations have developed. There are six noteworthy theories which have arisen that will be
discussed, but only one satisfies the words of Truth. The theories came about because of the
issues presented above, but there are two basic problems: (1) First, there is confusion over the
first phase of Christs Second Coming called the Rapture of the church, which must be
Also, other issues were brought to the table, primarily by those of the Reformed
tradition. The issues most debated revolved around the separation of the church and Israel; and
whether there is exemption, partial exemption, or no exemption of the church from divine wrath.
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3
distinguished from the second phase of Christs return, which is called the Revelation of J esus
Christ. Arthur B. Whiting reports,
It [the rapture] is the first-mentioned aspect of our Lords return which thus forms the subject
of this present consideration. This great future event is frequently termed The Rapture in
contradistinction to Christs return to earth which is called The Revelation. Like the word
trinity, the term rapture is not used in Scripture, but the absence of both words in no way
militates against the plain and positive teachings which they represent.
3

[my addition, HDW]
And Dr. Roy Wallace states,
A vital truth in the understanding of the rapture question is to be able to distinguish between
the rapture and the revelationIt is evident that the Second Coming of J esus is definitely in
two stages the rapture and the revelation.
4

[HDW, my emphasis]
(2) Second, there is confusion about who is involved and when are they involved in His coming.
For example, Dr. J ohn F. Walvoord related,
There has arisen in the last century, however, a small group of pretribulationists who
contend that only those who are faithful in the church will be raptured or translated and the
rest will either be raptured sometime during the tribulation or at its end. As stated by one of its
adherents: The saints will be raptured in groups during the tribulation as they are prepared to
go.
5


Therefore, this study will examine six views of the rapture, particularly the concerns over
the timing related to imminency and cosmic events associated with Christs return, which are
alleged by some to occur before the rapture. There are five views that are pre-millennial and one
that is post-millennial. They are all immanently concerned with dispensationalism,
amillennialism, and the imminent return of the Lord J esus Christ.
6
The Partial Rapture Theory
They are: (1) The Partial
Rapture Theory, (2) The Mid-tribulation Rapture Theory, (3) The Pre-wrath Rapture Theory, (4)
The Post-tribulation Rapture Theory, (5) The Pre-tribulation Rapture Theory, and (6) The Post-
millennialism (Rapture) and Amillennialism (No Rapture) Theory. A comparison chart of these
theories may be found at the end of this study.
There are several individuals who have popularized this theory. They are Robert Govett
who first wrote about the theory in 1853 in his work, Entrance into the Kingdom; G. H. Lang
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4
was an able advocate of the theory; and D. M. Paton (1935) used his position as editor of The
Dawn to popularize the theory by using the writings of authors who supported the theory. The
theory was never widely accepted.
7
The basis of translation [rapture] must be grace or reward. We believe that frequent
exhortations in the Scriptures to watch, to be faithful, to be ready for Christs coming, to live
Spirit-filled lives, all suggest that translation is a reward. The theory includes the concept that
only the faithful saints will be resurrected at the first resurrection.
Walvoord reports that one of the partial rapture theorists
said,
8

[my addition, HDW]
This theory is rejected immediately because it is based on works. Admission to the
church of the Living God, which will be raptured, is based on faith alone. All of the church will
be raptured (J n. 14:1-3, 1 Cor. 15:51-52). Admittedly, rewards will be given at the judgment seat
of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10-11, 1 Cor. 3:10-15). However, the judgment or bema seat of Christ for the
church is for those who are raptured, which is all of the church. Secondly, their theory divides
the body of Christ for which there is no Scriptural support, and against which there are
significant warnings against (Eph. 4:3, 13, 1 Cor. 12:12, Rom. 16:17, 1 Cor. 11:18)
The verses they usually cite for support are: Matthew 24:4051; 25:13; Mark 13:3337;
Luke 20:3436; 21:36; Philippians 3:1012; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13;
Hebrews 9:2428; and Revelation 3:3, 12:16. Dr. Walvoord decisively destroys their exegesis
of the verses in an article, The Partial Rapture Theory in Dallas Theological Seminarys journal,
Bibliotheca Sacra, Volume 112. One quickly discerns the partial rapture theorists blur the
distinction between Israel and the church. The 70
th
week of Daniel is the time of J acobs trouble
(Dan. 9:24, Isa 22:5, J er. 30:7). J acob is frequently a euphemism in the Scriptures for the
nation of Israel. Therefore, the time of J acobs trouble is not for the church. Lastly, a haze is
created about the judgment of all of the church at the bema seat of Christ.

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The Mid-tribulation Rapture Theory
Presbyterian J . Oliver Busnell, a former president at Wheaton College (1926-40), a
professor and an author of a systematic theology work, and dean of graduate studies at Covenant
College and Seminary was one of the primary proponents of the mid-tribulational rapture theory.
Dr. Busnells primary points are:
The first 3 years of Daniels 70
th
Week see nothing more than general trials and troubles
that the world always goes through.
The Antichrist is revealed with the abomination of desolation half way through the 70
th

week.
The two witnesses of Revelation 11 are killed halfway through the 70
th
week.
During the 3 days when the dead bodies of the two witnesses are left in the streets to
be seen, Christians will experience tremendous and intense tribulation. This tribulation is not
characterized as the wrath of God but as the wrath of man.
At the end of the 3 days, the two witnesses are resurrected and raptured (Rev 11:11
12) which is a picture of the rapture of the Church. This is associated with the 7
th
trumpet in
Revelation 11:15 (which in turn is associated with the trumpet of
1 Corinthians 15:52at the last trumpet).
At this point, the Church is raptured and joins Christ in the air.
Four things could be said about the remaining 3 years of Daniels 70
th
week:
1. Christ remains in the air with his saints for the next 3 1/2 years, watching the ensuing
developments on earth.
2. The millennial reign of Christ begins and, thus, overlaps the judgments of the vials.
3. The wrath of God is poured out on the earth.
4. Antichrist generally prevails on earth.
At the end of the 70th week of Daniel, Christ stops his watching and comes down to
earth with His saints to destroy Antichrist and to continue his millennial reign on the earth.
9


A summary of the mid-tribulation rapture theory is given by J ames F. Stitzinger who
says,
This view teaches that the rapture will take place at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation
or after 31/2 years. The view holds that only the last half of Daniels seventieth week is
tribulation. The position struggles for convincing texts. Though asserting that only the last
half of the tribulation contains judgement, they struggle to deal with the fact that God pours
out His wrath through the entire 70th week.
10

[my emphasis, HDW]
Gleason L. Archer, J r., is a staunch defender of the midtribulational rapture, which he
prefers to call the mid-seventieth-week rapture, to avoid confusion because he alleges that the
first
term gives rise to a possible misunderstanding. If the Great Tribulation is to be identified with
the second half of the final seven years prior to Armageddon, during which the bowls of
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6
divine wrath will be poured out upon the earth, then the view we are about to advocate is
really a form of pretribulation Rapture.
11


Immediately, one is struck with the understanding that we are back to the disagreement
over whether the tribulation is seven years (7), three and one-half years (3 ), or even a shorter
span. He uses many verses in the book of Daniel to defend his position (Dan. 7:25, 9:27, 12:7,
11). He, like others, proclaims that Gods permissive revealed will, which allows the tribulation
to start with the announcement of Israels covenant with the Anti-christ, is null and void (Dan.
9:27). One must understand that none of the verses in Daniel allude to the rapture.
In addition, there is disagreement between Busnell and Archer. Archer does not agree
with Busnells tenet that the rapture is with the seventh trumpet.
12
He concludes that Revelation
4:1, which the pre-seventieth-week theorists use, is not the rapture, but that Revelation 14:14 is
the far more likely point.
13
Archer and other midtribulationists also claim the resurrection of
the two witnesses is a type of the rapture (Rev. 11:12). There is no clear support for this in
Scripture; and the type is very poor at its best because the two witnesses are killed by the
Beast, and men will gaze at and desecrate their bodies. The church is never overcome by the
enemy.
14
Also, Dr. Archer holds a view that the 144,000 witnesses are members of the church. It is
not a view which can be supported from the Scripture. Plus, the Scripture affirms repeatedly that
the church will be kept from wrath (cf. Rom. 5:9, 1 Thess. 5:9), and the 144,000 are in the
middle of the seventieth week, a week of wrath. Finally, the church is to always look for
Christs return. Pin-pointing the rapture with the tenets of midtribulation theorists destroys the
imminent expectation of our Lords return. This is a major objection to this theory. The
imminent Second Coming is a call to holiness, which man needs to help overcome his depraved

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and deceitful heart (J er. 17:9). Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour
wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mat. 25:13)
The Pre-wrath Rapture Theory
The pre-wrath rapture position separates the tribulation period into (1) the beginning of
sorrows, (2) the great tribulation, and (3) the Day of the Lord. They propose the Day of the Lord
is the time of Gods wrath that Christians will not have to endure. However, J ames F. Stitzinger
says,
This threefold division creates numerous and significant linguistic, exegetical, and
theological problems regarding the seven-year length of Gods wrath and the length of the
Day of the Lord.
15


Keith Essex, who disagrees with the theory, reports the same divisions. He relates, the pre-wrath
supporters split
Daniels seventieth week (Dan 9:27) into three periods: the first three and a half years are
The Beginning of Sorrows (cf. Matt 24:8), followed by The Great Tribulation, which occurs
after The Abomination of Desolation (cf. Matt 24:14, 21), which is less than three and a half
years because it is cut short (cf. Matt 24:22), followed by the pouring out of Gods wrath in
The Day of the Lord at the end of the final three and a half years.
16
Dr. Michael Stallard notes,

[t]he best expression of the pre-wrath rapture view has been given by Marv Rosenthal [a
proponent]
The first 3 years of Daniels 70
th
week are the beginning of sorrows but do not constitute
any wrath of God, only the trials and tribulations of life. In fact, Rosenthal insists that the word
tribulation is never used for the first half of Daniels 70
th
Week.
The term Great Tribulation applies to a second period of Daniels 70
th
Week for which there
is intense tribulation or persecution of Christians. This period lasts an indeterminate amount
of time but less than 3 years. Most of the diagrams show it ending half way through the last
3 years of Daniels 70
th
Week.
The first six seals cover the time from the beginning of Daniels 70
th
Week until the end of the
Great Tribulation (roughly 5 years). In their entirety they constitute the wrath of man through
Antichrist.
The sixth seal marks the coming of cosmic signs that precede the trumpet judgments.
The Lord raptures the Church at the end of the Great Tribulation.
The Day of the Lord is the time of Gods wrath that covers roughly the last half of the second
3 years of Daniels 70
th
Week. This follows the rapture of the Church. This time of wrath is
Gods anger poured out on all mankind including Israel and the nations.
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8
This time of Gods wrath actually extends for thirty days after the end of Daniels 70
th
Week
as Gods bowl judgments are poured out on the nations who persecuted Israel. This thirty-
day period is based upon Daniel 12:11
17

[my addition, HDW]
There is great similarity between the pre-wrath opinions and the position of the mid-trib
position. However, the pre-wrath camp claims the rapture will take place near the mid-point of
the second three and one half (3 ) years of the 70
th
week of Daniel, which they claim is
immediately before the trumpet judgments. The mid-trib rapture position places the rapture after
the trumpets. Also, the pre-wrath position on Rev. 6:12-17 is that the wrath of God correlates
with the Olivet discourse, Mat. 24:29. However, the mid-trib theorists believe this verse heralds
the arrival of Christ on earth.
18
Some of the problems with the pre-wrath view are: (1) Their claim that the church enters
the tribulation and is not raptured until very late in the 70
th
week of Daniel. The Lord J esus
Christ clearly relates the church will be kept for the hour of temptation (Rev. 3:10-11), and Paul
affirms it in 1 Thessalonians (1 Thes. 4:13-18). (2) Their claim that the great multitude before
the throne in Revelation 7:9-10a is the church. The multitude is not the raptured church, but
they are those that came out of the tribulation, which is clearly stated in Revelation 7:14. (3) This
theory changes the focus of the church. Gerald B. Stanton says, Such a change of emphasis is
unfortunate, for it moves the blessed hope of the believer away from the expectation and joy of
being in the presence of Christ to the more human desire of escaping outpoured wrath in the
coming judgment.

19
Matthew 24:9 chronologically relates to the first half of the 70th week because it precedes
the midpoint, when the abomination of desolation will be set up (Matt 24:1521). Verse 9
states, Then they will deliver you to tribulation [qiliyin], and will kill you, and you will be
hated by all nations on account of My name. The first half of the 70th week, then, is a time of
tribulation. The second half of the 70th week is also described as a time of tribulation. When
the Lord J esus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire (2 Thess
1:7), that is, at Christs second coming, God will repay with affliction [qiliyin] those who
(4) Their claim the tribulation cannot refer to the entire 70
th
week of Daniel
is not Scriptural. An evaluation of the use of qliyi" (tribulation) in
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9
afflict [qlibousin] you (1:6 ). Therefore it is proper and even biblical to refer to and even
describe the 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation, or a time of tribulation.
20


Clearly, the pre-wrath theory is exegetically wrong.
The Post-tribulation Rapture Theory
Robert H. Gundry, Alan Ladd, Alexander Reese, and Douglas Moo are major spokesmen
for this position. The theory can be likened to the other pre-millennial views except for the
pretibulational rapture position.

This view has been widely popularized by Ladd, Gundy, and others. It holds that the rapture
occurs at the end of the great tribulation period, when Christ returns. Posttribulationism differs
from pretribulationism on several basic issues: (1) the nature of the tribulation, (2) the
distinction between Israel and the church, (3) the doctrine of imminency, (4) the distinction
between the rapture and the second coming, (5) the meaning of eschatological terms, and (6)
sometimes hermeneutical issues. There are four distinct positions within this view.
Classic posttribulationism or historic premillennialsim. Here the events of the tribulation are
understood to have always been in place and the church is already under Gods wrath.
Christs return is imminent, but the view relies on both allegorical and literal hermeneutics.
This is the view of J . Barton Payne, and is sometimes known as moderate preterism as well.
Semiclassic posttribulationism. This view also holds that the tribulation is a contemporary
event but teaches that some events of the tribulation are still future. The view forsakes
imminency and also draws on conflicting hermeneutical principles. There are considerable
differences between proponents of this view. This is a kind of catch-all view for those who do
not fit the other categories.
Futurist posttribulational view. A relatively new but very popular view held by George Ladd
and others. This view holds to a future seven-year tribulation followed immediately by the
second coming. The church goes through the entire tribulation and the Israel/church
distinction is blurred. Hermeneutics are more literal in this view.
Dispensational posttribulation. This is the view of Robert Gundry who attempts to keep the
distinction between Israel and the church clear, while believing that the church will live
through all seven years of tribulation. At the same time he believes that the church will also in
some way be exempt from Gods wrath. In this view, imminency is aggressively denied.
21


The most significant problem the post-tribulational rapturists face is the order of events
surrounding the second coming of Christ. Dr. Walvoord appropriately relates the subject matter
of Matthew 24 (Olivet Discourse) to Christs answer of the questions of four of the Apostles
about: (1) the signs of His second coming, (2) when it would occur, and (3) the end of the age
(Mk. 13:3); and the rapture was not presented by the Lord J esus Christ because there was so
much the Lord needed to teach them without confusing them further. The disciples did not even
understand the concept of the church, much less that there would be an interval of time between
the first and second phase of his second coming. This is similar to the prophets and early
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10
Christians not perceiving a gap for the church age in Daniel 9:26. How could man have
understood?
Therefore, the use of Matthew 24 by the posttribulationists is very tenuous in light of the
questions by the four Apostles recorded in Mark 13.
22
Similarly, J ohn 14:2-3 is twisted (spiritualized) by the posttribulationist to mean the Lord
was preparing a house, which they insist is spiritual abodes within His own Person for the
Apostles. One is at a loss to know how to comment on such fanciful exegesis.
Matthew 24:31 is the verse usually used
by the posttribulationists; and the rapture is seen by them in verses 40-41, which most likely
relates to those who will be taken into the millennium, and not to those who are raptured. This
correlates with Luke 17:37 because where the vultures (eagles) are there are dead bodies (e.g.
those killed and not taken into the kingdom age).
23
Another significant issue is the meaning of the day of the Lord. Dr. Walvoord reports,
And so the
arguments go. For certain the rapture is not mentioned in the synoptic gospels and not until J ohn
14:2-3.

[Alexander] Reese holds that the use of the expression the day indicates that endtime
events all occur in rapid succession, including the translation of the church and the various
judgments of the saints and the wicked. He identifies the day of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 5
with other references to the day as found in 1 Corinthians 3:13 and Romans 13:1112. He
likewise so identifies the expressions in that day (2 Thess 1:10; 2 Tim 1:18; 4:8 ); the day
of Christ (Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16 ); the day of the Lord J esus Christ (1 Cor 1:78; 2 Cor 1:14);
and the day of the Lord (1 Cor 5:45; 2 Thess 2:13). According to Reese, all refer to the
same time and the same event. [my addition, HDW]
24


Obviously, the day of the Lord is a complicated topic that would require an extensive work to
exegete. Dr. Walvoord concludes, however, that the day can be placed into three categories.
(1) references to a day of the Lord as referring to any period of time in the past or future
when God deals directly in judgment on human sin; (2) a day of the Lord in the sense of
certain specific future events constituting a judgment of God; (3) the broadest possible sense
of the term, indicating a time in which God deals directly with the human situation, both in
judgment and in blessing, hence broad enough to include not only the judgments preceding
the millennium but also the blessings of the millennium itself.
25


For example, the day of the Lord in 1 Thess. 5:2 differs from the use in 2 Thess. 2:2.
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11
It is significant that the Thessalonians thought that they were in the tribulation, since they
were experiencing significant persecutions, and they believed that they had been left behind and
separated from their loved ones. If they had been taught posttribulationism by Paul, they would
not be so alarmed. The posttribulational rapture requires that violence be done to the Scriptures
to arrive at their exegesis.
The Pre-tribulation Theory
This theory meets the literal interpretation of Scripture and has the support of most
dispensational theologians. Dr. Paul D. Feinberg believes the church will not go through the
tribulation because the entire time of the 70
th
week of Daniel is the outpouring of penal,
retributive, divine wrath, as well as the promises of God to the church that exempt it from both
the time and experience of wrath.
26
Dr Walvoord cites Revelation 6:17 and states, the only
way one could be kept from that day of wrath would be to be delivered beforehand.
27
Dr.
Feinberg notes that the question of divine wrath is a fundamental one for the Rapture
positions.
28
The central passage for the pretribulationists is 1 Thess. 4:13-18. The posttribulationists
claim that Daniel 12:1-2 places the sleepers after the tribulation. However, if this were the case
as Paul explains to the worried Thessalonians, the dead in Christ would not follow those alive to
alleviate their fears. In other words, they were not in the tribulation, the dead had not been
forgotten, and the rapture was yet to come. Their loved ones in Christ would not be left behind.
God clearly proclaims that believers will not suffer His wrath (Rom. 5:9, 1 Thess.
1:10, 5:9, Rev. 3:10). Therefore, the rapture must come before the tribulation.
29

Paul further explains the sequences in a second letter to the anxious Thessalonians (2 Thess. 2:6-
7).
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The contention by those opposed to the pretribulational rapture frequently centers on the
use of prepositions. A through discussion of this topic would require a major work. Let it be
accepted that the King J ames Bible translators got the prepositions right.
Most believers throughout the church age have believed in the imminent return of the
Lord J esus Christ for His people. Our Lord said, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Paul said that
we are Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour J esus Christ (Tit. 2:13) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead, even J esus, which delivered us from the wrath to come (1Thess. 1:10). The angel said,
Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same J esus, which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven which
will be with a shout and a trumpet (Acts 1:11). Peter said, Knowing this first, that there shall
come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of
his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning
of the creation (2 Pe. 3:3-4). He is coming. Praise God! It will be In a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Cor. 15:52). There is no reason to believe the
trumpet shall sound is any of the trumpets associated with judgments in the book of Revelation.
There is no indication in Scripture that we will have any sign in the heavens or any events on
earth before the glorious appearing and our hope. Let us be ready daily and live our lives in
the power of the Spirit of the Lord J esus Christ.


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The Post-millennialism (Rapture) and Amillennialism (No Rapture) Theory
Some holding these positions are Vern Poythress and David Chilton. These positions
deserve very little comment. Many of their views stem from the amillennialism of some early
members of the church, such as Origen and Augustine. They allegorized a great deal of the
Scripture. They believed that the millennium was simply a type, since the premillennial
rapture belief and the Lords return, which was considered by the post-apostolic church to be
soon and imminent, had not occurred. The amillennial position continued into the reformation
and many Reformers accepted the tenets of amillenialism.
30
The death of Christ for many amillennialists and postmillennialists was only to
demonstrate the love of God, and therefore influence us to repent of our rebellion against God.
Also, many of them believe our death is the coming of the Lord J esus Christ. They simply
refuse to consider the clear verses indicating the literal return of the Lord to the earth. Also, a
post-millennial view is based on certain interpretations of sin; Christ triumphed over sin in His
death and [is the] purpose of His Second Coming.

31
Finally, let us consider postmillennialism. Postmillennialism says that, through the gospel,
allegiance to Christ and Christian obedience will gradually spread through the world until the
great majority of people are Christians. Societies and their institutions will be progressively
conformed to the will of God, and an era of great peace and prosperity will ensue before the
second coming.
[my addition, HDW] Some
postmillennialists even postulate the following,
In my opinion, it is possible that this sort of thing might happen. In fact, because I am awed
by the power of God for salvation in the gospel (Rom 1:16) I am optimistic about the future.
Christ may return very soon, but if he does not return in the next hundred years we may see
a great harvest for the gospel. Some other amillennialists display the same optimism.
32


This is contrary to the plain teaching of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:1-5). In addition, their allegorizing of
the literal 1000 years (millennium) is superintended by their belief that the saints are ruling in
heaven now.
33
Many amillennialists and postmillennialists believe the resurrection to
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14
judgment is something other than what the word means.
34
Gundry, a posttribulation rapturist, even makes the following statement in favor of the
postmillennialists. He believes that Since the judgment of the wicked, admittedly postmillennial
(Rev 20:1115), is joined with the second coming, nothing keeps the judgment of the righteous
from being postmillennial, too.
Of course, they also blur the
difference between Israel and the church.
35
We will conclude the postmillennial view by saying that it goes against all the numerous
specific literal prophecies already fulfilled in Scripture, and again we see great violence to the
Scriptures done by those who hold to this position.
In light of the above, it does not surprise anyone that if any
amillennialists or postmillennialists believe in the rapture, he believes it occurs simultaneously
with a second coming of Christ at the end of the millennium. There are so many variations of
these concepts that a consistent amillennial or postmillennial position is very hard to decipher.
RAPTURE THEORIES COMPARISON CHART
36
RAPTURE
THEORY

(CLAIMS OF) SUPPORTING
VERSES
CONTRARY
VERSES
COMMENTS
1. Partial Mat. 24:40-51, 25:1-13, Mk. 13:33-37,
Lk. 21:36, Phil. 3:10-12, 1 Thes. 5:6, 2
Tim. 4:8, Heb. 9:24-28, *Rev. 3:10
(main verse)
1 Cor. 15:51, 1
Thes. 4:16, 1 Thes.
1:9-10, 2:19, 5:4-
11, Rev. 22:12
Based on works. Divides
the body of Christ. Ignores
plain teachingrapture of
all true believers.
2. Mid-tribulation Rev. 11 (7
th
trumpet) =1 Thes. 4:16 &
1 Cor. 15:52 (trump); imminent return
of Christ denied with J n 21:18-19, 1
Pe. 1:1; Pauls commission, a long
preaching career, Acts 22-21apostasy
comes 1
st
, 2 Thes. 2:3, 2 Tim. 3:1yet
the 2
nd
coming is an incentive to holy
life, Tit. 2:11-13, 1 Cor. 45:51; Phil.
3:20, 1 Thes. 4:17; carry gospel to all
the world 1
st
, Mk. 16:15; Rev. 2-3
represents a long period; church age
and tribulation overlap, Lk. 23:17-31,
Mat. 24:9-11, Mk. 13:9-13; seals &
trumps of Rev. not judgments; only last
3 yrs. of trib the time of J acobs
trouble or wrath; two witnesses of Rev.
11 are symbolic of two groupsliving
and dead at the rapture, the voice,
Paul did believe
imminent return, 1
Cor. 15:51-52, 1
Thes. 4:15-17;
Divine wrath of
seals and trumpets
clearly indicated,
Rev. 6:16-17
seals the start of
wrath, trumpets
continue wrath,
Rev. 11:18; Rev.
7:14 indicates 7
years are J acobs
troublenot split;
thief in the night
may relate to the
rapture as part of
No overlapping of ages,
e.g. law with grace, or
grace with tribulation.
Believing J ews brought
into body before Cross;
their chronology is faulty
there is overlap of
judgments. The trump of 1
Cor. 15:52 sounds before
wrath & is about blessings,
life, and glory & trump of
Rev. 11 sounds end of time
of wrath. Advocates, J .
Oliver Buswell, Harold J .
Ockenga, Gleason Archer

Williams
15
cloud, and trumpet are 1 Thes. 4:16
types; Rev. 4-11 describes 1
st
3yrs.,
12-19, the 2
nd
3yrs. trump of Rev. 11
& 1 Cor. 15:52 the same.
the Day of the Lord
3. Pre-wrath (a
significant variant of
mid-tribulation)
Occurs after the
mid-point of the trib
near the mid-point
of the second half.
Olivet Discourse is paralleled with Rev.
6 seals sequence of events. The Day of
the Lord begins with seal 7. Claim the
use of tribulation great tribulation
in Mat. 2415-20, 29, Mk. 13:14-19, 24
(affliction =same Gr. word for trib.) is
significantly different than other places
as Deut. 4:30 & refers to man against
man, not to the wrath of God as in 1
Thes. 5:9, Rom. 5:9. Claim the Day of
the LORD does not include the Great
Trib. Claim cosmic disturbance in Rev.
6:12-13 seal are mid second 3
period. Claim God will cut 70
th
wk.
short. Claim, 2 Thes. 2:3the apostasy
and revealing of the man of sin occurs
during 70
th
wk. not before. Claim
saints in 1 Thes. 3:13 are angels.
Tribulation
period is not a
contrived term
anymore than
trinity or rapture is.
Rev. 6:16-17
seals the start of
wrath, trumpets
continue wrath,
Rev. 11:18; Rev.
7:14 indicates 7
years are J acobs
troublenot split;
Scripture indicates
the trib is 7 years.
1 Cor. 15:23-24
does not mean the
end of the trib, but
the end of the
church age
Although pre-trib, mid-trib,
and post-trib are pre-
wrath positions (keep
from the hour Rev. 3:10),
the timings are significantly
different. Exegesis of The
Day of the Lord & the
cosmic events are
determining factors for
holders of these theories.
at the last trump 1 Cor.
15:52 not at the 7
th
trumpet
judgment, but the last
trump of church age when
Christ returns, Psa 47:5
with Acts 1:11. The Day of
the Lord is not one day but
a whole program of events.
4. Post-tribulation
Four (4) types
a. Classic
(trib is already past)
b. Semiclassic
(trib partially filled)
c. Futuristic
(7 yr. trib before
rapture and 2
nd

Coming
d. Dispensational
(essentially same as
futuristic.)
Hold to rapture and revelation are the
same event. Saints return immediately
with Christ. Argue no hx. of pre-trib
view, and saints are all from all
ages at rapture. Lk. 23:27-31, Mat.
24:9-11, Mk. 13:9-13these verses
used to prove church goes thru the trib.;
deny imminency with J n. 21:18-19;
claim long interval before Christs
returnMat. 25:14-30, Mat. 13:1-50,
28:19-20, Lk. 19:11-27, Acts 1:5-8;
destruction of J erusalem preceding 2
nd

ComingLk. 21:20-24, and signs 1
st

Mat. 24:1-25:30then the return; Rev.

20 used to support translation or
resurrection at the close of the trib; and
all in one dayJ n. 5:28-29, 11:24;
Doctrine of
imminencyJ n.
14:2-3, 1 Cor. 1:7,
Phil. 3:20-21, 1
Thess. 1:9-10,
4:16-17 (see
above)+
The Day of the Lord is not
one day but a whole
program of events. The 3
Gr. words, parousia,
apokalupsis, epiphaneia,
used by them to support
post-trib appearing, but a
concordance proves
otherwise. Their arguments
built on system of denials
rather then +exposition.
They do not distinguish
between church and trib
saints. Their hx. argument
falls flat. (e.g. justification
by faith not clearly taught
until Luther). Advocates,
Alexander Reese, Robert
Gundry.
5. Pre-tribulation Based on literal interpretation rather
than spiritualizing many Scriptures;
believers in church age; trib about
Israeltime of J acobs trouble;
therefore whole, entire 70
th
week 1.
wrath, Rev. 6:16-17, 11:18, 14:19,
15:1, 7, !6:1, 19, 1Thes. 1:9-10, 5:9,
Zeph. 1:15, 18; 2. judgment, Rev. 14:7,
15:4, 16:5-7, 19:2 3. indignation, Isa
26:20-21, 34:1-3, 4. punishment, Isa
24:20-21, 5. hour of trial, Rev. 3:10, 6.
hour of trouble, J er. 30:7, 7.
destruction, J oel 1:15, 8. darkness, J oel
See Luther, Calvin, J ohn
Knox, Latimers comments
re imminent return in Dr.
Roy Wallace, Systematic
Theology. The world will
be asleep spiritually;
Comes like a thief to take
his jewels.; and M. R.
DeHaan said, J esus would
shout from the air, but only
the ones who are tuned in
on station B.L.O.O.D. and
F.A.I.T.H. wouldhear.
Williams
16
2:2, Zeph. 1:14-18, Amos 5:18.
Imminent return! 1 Thes. 1:9-10, Tit.
2:13, J n. 14:2-3, Acts 1:11, 1 Cor.
15:51-52, Phil. 3:20, Col. 3:4, 1 Thes.
1:10, 1 Tim. 6:14, J am. 5:8, 2 Pe. 3:3-4
**Mat. 24:37-39, Mat. 24:40-41,
24:42-43, Lk. 12:37-40, be ready, Mat.
24:4, 25:13, 13:35-37, Lk. 21:34-36;
virgins without oil are without Holy
Spirit, Mat. 25:1-13, Rom. 5:5, 8:9, 1
Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:16, for all saved,
1 Cor. 15:51-52raptured, even tho all
sleeping, saved and unsaved, Mat. 25:5
Advocates & details
worked out by J ohn Darby,
Schofield (Reference
Bible), Harry Ironside,
Lewis Sperry Chafer,
Charles Feinberg, J ohn
Walvoord, Charles Ryrie,
Dwight Pentecost.
6. Amillennialsim,
Post-millennium or
A-tribulation/rapture
Acts 1:7 These views stem
from the
allegorizing of
Scripture,
beginning with
Philo & Origin,
continuing thru
Augustine into the
reformation. Many
reformers held this
view, and many of
the Reformed
church continue in
this tradition.
Most holding this view
believe that there is no
rapture, trib, or
millennium. J udgment
occurs and then eternity.
This position ignores large
portions of Scripture. Dan
Whitby, a 17
th
century
Unitarian held to post-
millennialism, believing
the gospel would permeate
the earth, making it better
(see 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Endnotes:

1
Caught up is from the Greek word, harpazo (a rpa zw) to seize, or catch or snatch away; the Latin word for
carry off is raptus, from which we get rapture. The doctrine of the rapture is established by 1 Thes. 4:13-18 and 1
Cor. 15:51-52 (from Liberty Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988, p. 1877)
2
Gleason L. Archer et al, Richard R. Reiters section, The Development of the Rapture Positions, The Rapture: Pre-,
Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? (The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI) 1984, 10-44
3
Arthur B. Whiting, The Rapture of the Church (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1945, Bibliotheca Sacra Volume
102) 360
4
Dr. Roy Wallace, Studies In Systematic Theology (LinWel, Shreveport, LA) 2001, 348
5
J ohn F. Walvoord, Partial Rapture Theory (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1955, Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 112)
193. This is an excellent discussion of the problems of the partial rapture theory and their poor exegesis.
6
Gleason L. Archer, J r.; Paul D. Feinberg; Douglas J . Moo; Richard R. Reiter; The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-
Tribulational? (The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI) 1984, 34-38. An article in this book about the
development of Rapture positions is fascinating, pitting J ohn F. Walvoord, George E. Ladd, and others against
various positions.
7
Ibid. Walvoord, Partial Rapture, 194
8
Ibid. Walvoord, Partial Rapture, 193
9
Dr. Michael Stallard, A Comparison of J. Oliver Bushwells Mid-Trib Position with the Pre-Wrath Rapture View
(J ournal of Ministry and Theology, Vol. 3) 1999, 86-87
10
J ames F. Stitzinger, The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation (The Masters Seminary, Master
Seminary J ournal, Vol. 13) 170
11
Gleason L. Archer, et al, The Rapture, Op. Cit., 139
12
Ibid. 143-144
13
Ibid. 142
Williams
17

14
Ibid. 148. Dr. Paul D. Feinberg responds to Dr. Archers theories.
15
Ibid. J ames F. Stitzinger, The Rapture in Twenty Centuries of Biblical Interpretation (The Masters Seminary,
Master Seminary J ournal, Vol. 13) 170
16
Keith H. Essex, The Rapture and the Book of Revelation, (The Masters Seminary, Masters Theological J ournal,
Vol. 13, Fall of 2002) 231-232
17
Ibid. Dr. Michael Stallard, A Comparison of J. Oliver Bushwells Mid-Trib Position with the Pre-Wrath Rapture
View (J ournal of Ministry and Theology, Vol. 3) 1999, 88-89
18
Ibid. Stallard, 91-92
19
Gerald b. Stanton, A Review of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church, (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1955,
Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 148, J an. 91) 91
20
J ohn A. McClean, Another Look at Rosenthals Pre Wrath Rapture (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1955,
Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 148,Oct. 91) 389-390
21
J ames F. Stitzinger, Op. Cit., 171
22
J ohn F. Walvoord, Posttribulationism Today (Dallas Theological Seminary, Bibliotheca Sacra Vol. 133, Jul. 77)
206-207
23
Ibid. Walvoord, Postribulationism Today, 212
24
Ibid. J an. 77, p. 5
25
Ibid. p. 6
26
Gleason L. Archer et al, Op. Cit., Section by Dr. Paul L. Feinberg, Pretribulation Rapture, 86
27
Ibid. Archer, p. 51, Dr. Feinberg is quoting Dr. Walvoord from the article, The Rapture Question.
28
Ibid. Archer, p. 223.
29
Ibid. 225
30
J ames F. Stitzinger, Op. Cit., (Masters Seminary J ournal, Vol. 13) Fall, 2002, 168-169
31
Elmer L. Towns, Answering the Arguments for Post-Tribulational Rapture Position (Tyndale Theological
Seminary, Conservative Theological J ournal, Vol. 6) Dec. 2002, 313
32
Vern Poythress, 2 Thessalonians Supports Amillennialism, (The Evangelical Theological Society, Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society, Vol 37) Dec. 1994, 535
33
Dr. J effery Khoo, Dispensational Premillennialism In Reformed Theology: The Contribution of J. O. Buswell to
the Millennial Debate, (The Evangelical Theological Society, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol
44) Dec. 2001, 706
34
Ibid. 706
35
J ohn F. Walvoord, Op. Cit., Posttribulationism Today, (Dallas Theological Seminary, Bibliotheca Sacra Vol. 134)
J uly, 77, p. 209
36
Most of this chart is made possible by the information presented in Systematic Theology by Dr. Roy Wallace. Op.
Cit.; significant other information was obtained from Marvin Rosenthals Pre-Wrath Rapture (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, Nashville, TN) 1990, and the other works cited such as Bibliotheca Sacra.

The following Bibliography was found while doing research and is attached for future reference.
Bibliography of Works on Pretribulationism
Compiled by Dennis M. Swanson
Seminary Librarian
The subjects of eschatology in general and various positions on the rapture in particular have generated
an enormous body of literature in the last century. This bibliography represents the collected research of
contributors to this issue of TMSJ as well as additional sources not cited in the articles. To affirm
pretribulationism, a response to points raised by other positions is necessary. As a general rule, writings
related to the return of Christ to the earth and the millennium have not been included unless they deal with
the timing of the rapture also. This bibliography is not exhaustive, but rather suggestive for those wishing
to do additional study.
Williams
18

The bibliographys six major categories are (1) General and Introductory Works, (2) Biblical
Commentaries, (3) Works on Posttribulationalism, (4) Works on Midtribulationalism, (5) Works on Pre-
Wrath Rapturism, and (6) Works on Pretribulationalism. Each section contains monographs, multi-author
works, journal articles, and unpublished material, all listed by author.
General and Introductory Works
Abrahamse, Dorothy deF. Introduction, in The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition, Paul J . Alexander.
Berkeley, Calif.: University of California, 1985.
Alexander, Paul J . The Diffusion of Byzantine Apocalypses in the Medieval West and the Beginnings of
J oachimism, in Prophecy and Millenarianism: Essays in Honour of Marjorie Reeves. Edited by Ann
Williams. Essex: Longman, 1980. 5895.
Balthasar Hubmaier. Apologia, Balthasar Hubmaier, Theologian of Anabaptism.Translated and edited by
H. Wayne Pipkin and J ohn H. Yoder. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald, 1989.
Beker, J . Christiaan. Pauls Apocalyptic Gospel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982.
Benware, Paul N. Understanding End Times Prophecy. Chicago: Moody, 1995. Bernard, Thomas Dehany.
The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament, Eight Lectures delivered before the University of
Oxford on The Bampton Foundation, 1864. New York: American Tract Society, 1891.
Clark, K. W. Realized Eschatology, J BL 59 (September 1940): 36783.
MSJ 13:2 (Fall 2002) p. 256
Clouse, Robert G. Millennialism in the Seventeenth Century. Grace Journal 6 (1965):3-15.
Clouse, Robert G. Rapture of the Church, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Walter A.
Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984.
Coad, F. Roy. A History of the Brethren Movement. Greenwood, S.C.: Attic, 1968.Conn, Norman. The
Pursuit of the Millennium. London: Seeker and Warburg, 1957.
Cotterell, Peter, and Max Turner. Linguistics & Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, 3: InterVarsity,
1989.
Couch, Mal., ed. A Bible Handbook to Revelation. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2001.
Couch, Mal., Dictionary of Premillennial Theology. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1996. Crutchfield, Larry V. The
Origins of Dispensationalism: The Darby Factor.
Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1992.
Dake, Finis J ennings. The Rapture and The Second Coming of Christ. Lawrence-ville, Ga.: Dake Bible
Sales, 1977.
Douglas, J . D., ed. The New Dictionary of the Christian Church. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
English, E. Schuyler. Re-Thinking the Rapture. Neptune, N.J .: Loizeaux Brothers, 1954.
Froom, LeRoy Edwin. The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers: The Historical Development of Prophetic
Interpretation. 4vols. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1950.
Fuller, Reginald H. A Critical Introduction to the New Testament. London: Gerald Duckworth, 1966.
Garrett, J ames Leo. Systematic Theology, Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical. 1 vols. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1990, 1995.
Gerstner, J ohn H. Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Critique of Dispensationalism. Brentwood,
Term.: Wolgemuth and Hyatt Publishers, 1991.
Hannah, J ohn. Our Legacy: The History of Christian Doctrine. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2001.
Williams
19

Hauser, Charles August, J r. The Eschatology of the Early Church Fathers. Unpublished Th.D.
dissertation, Grace Theological Seminary. Winona Lake, Ind., 1961.
Hodges, Zane C. The First Horseman of the Apocalypse, BSac 119 (1962): 32434.
Hoyt, Herman A. The End Times. Chicago: Moody, 1969.
Ice, Thomas, and Timothy Demy, eds. When the Trumpet Sounds. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1995.
Ice, Thomas, and Kenneth L. Gentry J r. The Great Tribulation, Past or Future? Grand Rapids: Kregel,
1999.
Kelly, William. The Rapture of the Saints: Who Suggested It, or Rather in What Scripture? The Bible
Treasury 4(ns) (1903): 31418.
LaHaye, Tim, and Thomas Ice. Charting the End Times. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 2001.
MSJ 13:2 (Fall 2002) p. 257
Lewis, Charlton T., and Charles Short. A New Latin Dictionary. New York: American Book Company,
1907.
MacArthur, J ohn. The Second Coming: Signs of Christs Return and the End of the Age. Wheaton, 3:
Crossway, 1999.
Marxen, Willi. Introduction to the New Testament. Translated by G. Buswell. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1968.
McClain, Alva J . Christian Theology: Biblical Eschatology. Revised by J ohn C. Whitcomb, J r.
Unpublished class notes. Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., n. d.
McClain, Alva J Christian Theology: The Kingdom and the Church. Revised by J ohn C. Whitcomb, J r.
Unpublished class notes. Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., n.d.
McCune, Rolland Dale. An Investigation and Criticism of Historic Premillennialism from the Viewpoint
of Dispensationalism. Unpublished Th.D. dissertation. Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake,
Ind., 1972.
McLean, J ohn. Chronology and Sequential Structure of J ohns Revelation, in When the Trumpet Sounds,
eds. Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1995.
Michaels, J . Ramsey. Interpreting the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.
Miller, J . Graham. Calvins Wisdom, An Anthology Arranged Alphabetically by a Grateful Reader.
Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1992.
Moore, A. L. The Parousia in the New Testament. Supplements to Novum Testamentum Volume 13
Leiden: E. J . Brill, 1966.
Oberman, Heiko A. The Dawn of the Reformation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. Pate, C. Marvin, ed.
Four Views on the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
Perrin, Norman, The New Testament, An Introduction. New York: Harcourt Brace J ovanovich, 1974.
Pink, Arthur W. The Redeemers Return. Swengel, Pa.:Bible Truth Depot, 1918. Reese, Alexander. The
Approaching Advent of Christ. London: Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1937, and Grand Rapids: Grand
Rapids International Publications, 1975.
Reeves, Marjorie. The Influence of Prophecy in the Later Middle Ages. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1969.
Reiter, Richard R., ed. The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
Roberts, Alexander, and J ames Donaldson, eds. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. 10 vols. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1981.
Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Wheaton, 3: Victor, 1986.
Williams
20

Ryrie, Charles C. What You Should Know About the Rapture. Chicago: Moody, 1981. Showers, Renald E.
Maranatha, Our Lord Come! Bellmawr, N.J .: Friends of Israel, 1995.
MSJ 13:2 (Fall 2002) p. 258
Showers, Renald E. Maranatha There Really is a Difference; A Comparison of Covenant and
Dispensational Theology. Bellmawr, N.J .: Friends of Israel, 1990.
Stallard, Mike. Review of The Last Days According to Jesus by R. C. Sproul.
The Conservative Theological Journal 6 (March 2002):45-71. Stenton, F. M. Anglo-Saxon England.
Oxford: Oxford University, 1947.
Svigel, Michael J . The Apocalypse of J ohn and the Rapture of the Church: A Reevaluation. Trinity
Journal 22ns (2001):23-74.
Tenney, Merrill C. Interpreting Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957.
Teulon, J . S. The History and Teaching of the Plymouth Brethern. London: S.P.C.K., 1899.
Thomas, Robert L. The Place of Imminence in Recent Eschatological Systems, in Looking into the
Future: Evangelical Studies in Eschatology. Edited by David W. Baker. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.
199216.
Turner, David L., The Structure and Sequence of Matthew 24:141: Interaction with Evangelical
Treatments. Grace Theological Journal 10/1 (1989):3-27.
Walvoord, J ohn F. The Blessed Hope and the Tribulation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976.
Walvoord, J ohn F. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Wheaton, 3: Victor, 1990.
Walvoord, J ohn F. The Rapture Question. Grand Rapids: Dunham, 1957.
Weber, Timothy P. Living in the Shadow of the Second Coming. New York: Oxford University, 1979.
Williams, George H. Spiritual and Anabaptist Writers. Library of Christian Classics. London: SCM, 1957.
Willis, Wesley R., and J ohn R Master, eds. Issues in Dispensationalism. Chicago: Moody, 1994.
Wood, Leon. Is the Rapture Next? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1956.
Wurthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament; An Introduction to the Biblia Hebraica. Translated by
Erroll F. Rhodes. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
Witherington, Ben, 3 Transcending Imminence: The Gordian Knot of Pauline Eschatology, in
Eschatology in the Bible & Theology. Downers Grove, 3: InterVarsity, 1997.
Biblical Commentaries
Aune, David E. Revelation 15. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1997.
Aune, David E. Revelation 616. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville: Nelson, 1998.
Aune, David E. Revelation 1722. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville, Nelson, 1998.
Beale, O.K. The Book of Revelation. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Best, Ernest. A Commentary on the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. HNTC. New York:
Harper and Row, 1973.
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. NAC, vol. 22. Nashville: Broadman, 1992. Bock, Darrell L., Luke, Volume 2:
9:5124:53. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
MSJ 13:2 (Fall 2002) p. 259
Brown, Raymond E., The Gospel according to J ohn [13-21]. The Anchor Bible. Garden City, N.Y.:
Doubleday, 1970.
Williams
21

Bruce, F. F. 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1982.
Carson, D. A., Matthew. The Expositors Bible Commentary, vol 8. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
Davies, W. D., and Dale C. Allison, J r. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to
Saint Matthew, Vol. 3. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1997.
Fee, Gordon D., The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Edited by Gordon D. Fee. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1987.
Frame, J ames Everett, The Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. ICC. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1912.
Gill, J ohn. Exposition of the New Testament. 2 vols. London: William Hill Collingridge, 1853.
Gundry, Robert H. Matthew: A Commentary on His Handbook for a Mixed Church under Persecution.
2nded. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
Hagner, Donald A., Matthew 1428. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1995.
Hiebert, D. Edmond, 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody, 1992.
J ohnson, Alan F. Revelation. The Expositors Bible Commentary, vol. 12. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.
Ladd, George Eldon. A Commentary on the Revelation of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.
Lightfoot, J . B. Notes on the Epistles of St. Paul. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1957.
Malherbe, Abraham J . The Letters to the Thessalonians. The Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1978.
Martin, D. Michael. 1, 2 Thesalonians. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.
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Erickson, Millard J . First the Antichrist. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.Ladd, George Eldon, The Blessed
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Tribulational. Edited by Richard Reiter. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. 169212.
Northrup, Bernard E. The Posttribulational Rapture Error., The Baptist Bulletin (J une 1976):12-14.
Sproule, J ohn A. A Revised Review of The Church and the Tribulation, by Robert H. Gundry.
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Walvoord, J ohn F. Is a Posttribulational Rapture Revealed in Matthew 24? Grace Theological J ournal 6/2
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Archer, Gleason A. The Case for the Midtribulation Rapture Position, in The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or
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Works on Pre-Wrath Rapturism
Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. Is There a Pre-wrath Rapture? in When the Trumpet Sounds. Edited by Thomas
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Karleen, Paul S., The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church: Is It Biblical? Langhorne, Pa.: BF Press, 1991.
Rosenthal, Marvin. The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Nashville: Nelson,1990.
Showers, Renald. The Pre-Wrath Rapture View: An Examination and Critique.Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2001.
Van Kampen, Robert D. The Sign. Wheaton, 111.: Crossway, 1992.
The Rapture Question Answered. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1997.
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The Pre-Wrath Rapture Position Explained. Grandhaven, Mich.: Sola Scriptura, 1999.
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The Origin of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching. Lakeland, Fla.: J ohn L Bray Ministry, 1982.
The Second Coming of Christ and Related Events. Lakeland, Fla.: J ohn L. Bray Ministry, 1985.
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Culver, Robert D. A Neglected Millennial Passage from Saint Paul. Edited byJ ohn F. Walvoord. Paper
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