…Glance at the segment on week 7, day 5, then write a brief synopsis of pre-millennialism in this space:
“After a seven year tribulation, Christ will return, bind Satan, rule for 1,000 years with the martyred saints, loose Satan, have a final battle, conduct final judgment, and usher in eternity”
Please read the following primary texts pretribulationists cite as their scriptural basis. Take down all pertinent descriptions of this event for both references:
| 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 |
| “Jesus will come down from heaven with a loud command, and the trumpet call of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, then the still living believers will also rise into the clouds.” | “The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised in new imperishable bodies. Then the living believers’ bodies will be changed from mortal to immortal and from perishable to imperishable.” |
⚝ Amillennialists take these Scriptures to be descriptions of the resurrection, but pre-millennialists identify this event as the rapture. Search as you may, you will not find the term rapture in Scripture. The words ‘caught up’ in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 translate from a Greek word that means ‘to snatch, to seize suddenly, or to transport from one place to another.’
Please read Revelation 19:11-16, one of the segments describing Christ’s visible return. How are the ‘armies of heaven’ dressed who will follow Christ on white horses?
“in fine linen that is white and clean”
Now, read Revelation 19:7-8. Who was given identical dress?
“Christ’s bride, the church”
How do you think that Revelation 3:10 could suggest God will remove his people before the tribulation?
“He promises to spare them from the hour of trial, which is coming to test all the people of the whole world.”
Enough of my thoughts. Let’s conclude with yours. Paraphrase the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in his wrap-up on this seizing away (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
“Keep reminding each other of our glorious future to help get through present trials.”
Conclude today’s lesson with ways you are encouraged personally by Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
“It excites or even thrills me to imagine what that moment will be like. I wonder which group I’ll be in. Either would be cool. I wonder if it will feel fast or like time has stopped for the rest of the world. I worry if our disappearance will be enough to convince my parents or [my dearest friend]. I always feel a mixture of eager anticipation and hope that it doesn’t happen until after the next things I’m looking forward to: vacations, holidays, etc.”
Dearest Rachel –
Well, I suppose that, in the decade or so since you worked on this study, you’ve gotten answers to a few of these questions – although, it’s begged a few others; are you aware of the passage of time in the world you left behind, or is it a moment of unconsciousness between death on earth and resurrection in heaven which is yet to come? I think of the martyred saints in Revelation 5 pleading for redress from God, so I don’t think you exist in complete unconsciousness between now and then, but I’ve no idea how it’s supposed to work. Then again, the greatest minds in Christendom haven’t come to an agreement as to how it will all go down, so my ignorance is excusable.
As for whether the rapture – assuming it happens in our lifetime, which I confess to being less sure of with every passing day – will suffice to convince those in your erstwhile orbit, you already know (for good or ill) about your folks. As for your friend, or others, you’ll forgive a bit of cynicism on my part, while understanding that it’s the nature of Christianity to think the worst of humans. Between the Calvinist doctrine of ‘total depravity,’ and the fact that it’s spelled out in the book that most won’t be convinced by any of the signs and wonders spoken of in the Revelation, there’s not a whole lot of reason to put any faith in humanity at large; whether your friend, or others you knew and loved would be exceptions to the rule remain to be seen.
Admittedly, it seems incredible that such an event wouldn’t register with people if and when it happened in front of them, but given humanity’s talent for self-deception, we’ll find a way to explain it away. I remember a Christian metal band envisioning a scenario in which the forces of darkness masquerade as extraterrestrial life, come to clean up the planet and usher in a utopian society for the alleged benefit of mankind:
And interestingly enough, there have been various noises about the declassification of certain incidents and places (such as Area 51) in the years since your departure, suggesting that we’re being primed to accept the possibility of alien existence and visitation. On the other hand, what news has trickled out has been all but ignored, in light of more pressing issues, so who’s to say how this would land when it all goes down? I dare say it’s become accepted consensus that there IS life out there, but as often as not, our civilization (if you can call it that) might yet be the closest to the Fermi Paradox line as any within communicable reach… for now.
All of which is a digression from the main point; that at some point, we will be caught up to meet Him, be given glorious new bodies that will last for eternity, and spend that eternity in His presence – as long as we’ve chosen to do so while here. Meanwhile, we should be looking forward to that day, and not just because we will be reunited (although that’s certainly an added incentive), but because of the plans He has for us in that heavenly kingdom.
Until that day, honey, keep an eye on us, and wish us luck; we’re going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 