The tribulation is coming. Rough road ahead.
If the tribulation is coming does the church have to worry about it? Many teachers say no, but is that true?
In the video, linked below, the rapture part three, Ken Johnson lays out his reasons why he supports a pre-tribulation rapture.
This is the third article of a three-part series. (See here and here.) Each article highlights the teaching of Ken Johnson, who is a prolific author, writer, teacher, and scholar on a variety of Bible subjects. I strongly recommend his ministry. But in this series, I mildly object to his position on the timing of the rapture. I know, mildly objecting won’t get me any clicks and likes. 🙂 Well, we have enough inflamed hysteria in today’s world so I’ll stick to mild objection.
The mild objection.
Ken believes in and teaches a pre-tribulation rapture. In that scenario, Christians around the world will be immediately “air-lifted” (My word, not Ken’s) off planet earth before a seven-year series of disasters hits the earth. The Book of Revelation details twenty-one chaotic events. Those seven years of chaos is the tribulation. His belief is the same that I held to for many years, so I am well aware of how he defends his position and which verses Ken can use to support that view.
What is my view of the rapture in relation to the tribulation?
Good question, I will develop that more fully in a year or so. I don’t expect the rapture any time soon, so I have time. The rapture is a correct biblical doctrine. Ken and many fine teachers present excellent arguments for that. But I no longer believe it will occur before the tribulation begins. I expect the rapture to occur sometime after the mid-point of the tribulation. On an unknown day or hour, just as the Lord said, he will break through the clouds with the sound of a trumpet, raise the dead and call the believers to meet him in the air.
Comments on the video:
Ken makes a lot of excellent points in the video. (It’s just audio so don’t expect any visuals.)
Here are a few points I want to make about Ken’s teaching.
- He spends some time in Daniel nine explaining the mysterious gap between the death of the Messiah and the long delay before the final seven years of Daniel’s famous prophecy. This is excellent and worth giving yourself time to explore further.
- Ken believes the Antichrist is ‘revealed’ when he confirms a covenant with Israel. This is a key point because if that is true, then the rapture would need to occur before the seven years begins.
Key passage
- A key passage in the Apostle Paul’s teaching is 2 Thessalonians chapter two. There he says the gathering of the saints, (the rapture) won’t occur until the falling away and the revealing of the Antichrist.
- Ken makes an important comment about a third of the way into the lesson. He refers to three nations that have begun to position themselves exactly how Bible prophecy says they will in the last days. Look for that as you listen.
- He then digs into Daniel’s chapter twelve which is all about the last days. The Antichrist, severe persecution, massive chaos, and the exact timing of the end come into sharp focus in this passage.
- Ken made a comment that surprised me. He said he understands how many would read this passage and think the Bible teaches a mid-point rapture. Thanks for pointing that out Ken. That’s exactly the position I believe the Bible teaches.
Rapture and the tribulation timing mixup
- In Daniel 12, Michael the Archangel comes on the scene and announces the commencement of 3 1/2 years of insane chaos, like the world has never seen. Ken’s view is that it all begins at the start of the seven years, but the context of the passage clearly shows only 3 1/2 years. But Ken very clearly explains how he gets to seven years instead of the shorter period. Listen to hear the explanation.
- The teacher again mentions how it could appear this is when the rapture happens. Because at this time the resurrection of the dead takes place.
- Ken rightly points out that the rapture and the resurrection of the dead in Christ happen in succession, right about the same time.
- But it sure looks like it’s happening in the middle of the seven years according to Michael’s declaration.
- And finally, I want to point out that Ken believes as I do, that there must be a rebuilt temple and a restart of the daily sacrifices in Israel.
So in closing, I have a lot of respect for Ken and his work. It’s a blessing and help to the Body of Christ. Please dig into his work.
But as to the timing of the rapture, it looks to me that it’s after the revelation of the Antichrist. That doesn’t happen until the middle of the tribulation. So after that mid-point, all hell will break loose. But Paul told the Church to take comfort in the fact that the Lord wouldn’t forget us. He would arrive at a day and hour that we don’t know.
Olivet Discourse articles to consider.
Olivet discourse, no man knows the day or the hour
Olivet Discourse: the fig tree and the last generation
Olivet Discourse: The Great Tribulation
Take a look at the following video/audio teaching.
What did the early church fathers teach?
Let me know what you think.