======================================================================== SYNOPSIS OF END TIMES V3 by Mike Morrill ======================================================================== An updated edition of Morrill's survey of end-times beliefs, examining the major eschatological positions within Christianity. The work educates and informs readers about premillennial, amillennial, and postmillennial perspectives. Chapters: 13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. : Introduction 2. : Full Preterist 3. : Partial Preterist 4. : Amillennial 5. : Post Millennial 6. : Historicism 7. : Historical Pre-Millennial 8. : Dispensational Pre-Millennial 9. : Pre-Tribulation Rapture 10. : Partial Rapture 11. : Mid-Tribulation Rapture 12. : Pre-Wrath Rapture 13. : Post-Tribulation Rapture ======================================================================== CHAPTER 1: : INTRODUCTION ======================================================================== Introduction Synopsis of the End Times: A look at the popular beliefs of today by Mike Morrill Purpose: To educate and inform the Church of the various eschatological views held within the Body of Christ Tactic Taken: I have attempted to present each view as objectively as possible. This is not a critical analysis of the 'pros' and 'cons' of each view but simply allowing them to speak for themselves. Views Presented: Full Preterism Partial Preterism Amillennialism Post Millennialism Historicism Historic Premillennialism Dispensational Premillenialism Pre-Tribulation Partial Rapture Mid-Tribulation Pre-Wrath Rapture Post-Tribulation Disclaimer: I have attempted to be as accurate and objective as possible. I will continue to update these charts as data becomes available. If you find an error or have suggestions to offer, please let me know. I will make the necessary updates. You may contact Mike Morrill at: mjmorrill@hotmail.com ======================================================================== CHAPTER 2: : FULL PRETERIST ======================================================================== Full Preterist "The bottom line is that it matters, and matters a great deal, whether Jesus came in the first century as he said he was going to do! If he did not come as he promised, then he lied or he failed, and thus, he is not the Son of God and the Bible is not his word" (Don Preston, FAQ, Eschatology.org) Specific Distinctions Christ's return did not end history The 2nd Coming of Christ occurred in 70 AD All Bible prophecy, including the Book of Revelation, was fulfilled by 70 AD No future rapture, no future Antichrist, no future 7 year Tribulation, no future return of Christ or literal 1000 year Millennium Sin, death, marriage, children, wars, famines will continue on earth ‗after the time of the end' outside of the New Jerusalem Satan and the lost in Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire in 70 AD Some believe all the saved whether living or dead were raptured or resurrected in 70 AD and received their eternal reward Some believe the rapture in 70 AD was a spiritual rapture bringing the believer into the New Covenant blessings of Christ The resurrection is the believer’s rebirth; there will be no future bodily resurrection Believers who die are ushered into the presence of the Lord receiving new spiritual bodies, not resurrected physical ones Background: Luis de Alcazar (1554-1613), a Jesuit priest, wrote a 900 page commentary titled, "Investigation of the Hidden Sense of the Apocalypse," which proposes the entire book of Revelation be applied to pagan Rome and the first six centuries of the Church's existence. Some say it was to throw off criticism of the Catholic Church being the ‗Great Whore of Babylon'. Works: Landmark book was by Congregationalist minister J. Stuart Russell's (1816-1895) ‗The Parousia' (1878) Recently promoted by Church of Christ's Max King's ‗The Cross and the Parousia of Christ' (1987) Don K. Preston: Who is This Babylon? (Second Edition), The Last Days Identified, Can God Tell Time?, Israel: 1948, Countdown To Nowhere, Leaving the Rapture Behind, Seventy Weeks are Determined...for the Resurrection Samuel M. Frost: Misplaced Hope: The Origins of First and Second Century Eschatology (2002) John Noe: Shattering the 'Left Behind' Delusion (1999) Edward E. Stevens: Expectations Demand a Rapture; What Did Christ Promise? What Did They Expect? (2002) Theological Persuasion: Some are Calvinists and some are Arminians Some are Reconstructionists holding to a ‗Dominion mandate' to Christianize all aspects of society (arts, media, politics) Churches: Reformed, Presbyterian, Baptist, United Church of Christ, Non-denominational churches Past Notables: J. Stuart Russell David Chilton (1951-1997) became a Full-Preterist in 1994 before his death, changing from a Post-Millennialist Current Notables: Don K. Preston, William Bell, John Noe, Ken Davies, Sam Frost, Virgil Vaduva, John L. Bray, Kurt Simmons, Ward Fenley, John Anderson, Walt Hibbard, Ed Stevens Web Sites: Preston (www.eschatology.org), Hibbard (www.preteristviewpoint.com), Stevens (www.preterist.org) Quote: "Jesus' predictions were fulfilled. He did not fail, nor do we need to engage in theological gymnastics to try to explain-away the seeming delay or postponement of His return. It happened right on schedule. Many knew the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was important in God's scheme of redemption, but never understood its full significance. It has to do with the consummation of the plan of redemption. The final events of the redemptive drama came to pass in the first century within the apostles' generation (before A.D. 70). Christ's kingdom is here now. Paradise has been restored in Christ (spiritually-speaking). Christ has conquered all His enemies and has given us the Kingdom." (Ed Stevens, What is the Preterest View of Bible Prophecy, Eschatology.org) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 3: : PARTIAL PRETERIST ======================================================================== Partial Preterist An eschatological viewpoint that places many or all eschatological events in the past, especially during the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. (R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus, p. 228) Specific Distinctions: Christ's bodily return ends history Believe that Jesus did return in judgment against unbelieving Israel in 70AD No secret Rapture, no future 7 year Tribulation and no literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth See much of prophecy fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD Most of Matthew 24:1-51; Matthew 25:1-46 has been fulfilled Revelation 1:1 to Revelation 19:10 has been fulfilled Background: Tertullian (145-220 AD) , Clement of Alexandria (150-215), Origen (c.185-254) Josephus (37-100), Eusebius (265-339), Jerome (347-420) and Augustine (354-430 AD) all cite Partial Preterist aspects regarding the abomination of desolation, Nero as the antichrist and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD Chrysostom (John of Antioch) in 347 AD mentions Matthew 24:1-51 as fulfilled Works: Josephus, War of the Jews (c. 75 AD) R. C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus: When Did Jesus Say He Would Return? (1998) Gentry, Kenneth L., Jr. Perilous Times: A Study in Eschatological Evil (1999), The Beast of Revelation, Revised Edition (2002) Larry T. Smith, The Coming of the Lord, the Last Days, and the End of the World as Taught by Jesus and His Apostles (2000) Ralph E. Bass, Jr., Back to the Future: A Study in the Book of Revelation (2004) Gary DeMar and Francis X. Gummerlock, The Early Church and the End of the World (2006) Theological Persuasion: Partial Preterism is found primarily within the Amillennial and Post-Millennial camps Almost all are Covenant/ Replacement/ Expansion Theology adherents Some are Reconstructionist/ Dominion Theology proponents Some Pre-Millennialists see a 'double-fulfillment' in Matthew 24:1-51 of past events to be repeated in the future Churches: Presbyterians, Puritans, Reformed, Southern and Reformed Baptists Past Notables: Tertullian (145-220 AD) , Clement of Alexandria (150-215), Origen (c.185-254) Eusebius (265-339), Augustine (354-430 AD) John Chrysostom (347-407) Current Notables: R.C. Sproul, Hank Hannegraaf, Gary DeMar, Dee Dee Warren, Ross A. Taylor, Ken Gentry, J. P. Holding, Steve Gregg Web Sites: http://jesus-messiah.com/preterist/luis-de-alcazar.html {for Partial Preterist quotes of early church fathers} www.thenarrowpath.com (Steve Gregg) www.apocalipsis.org (Ross A. Taylor) www.kennethgentry.com (Ken Gentry, Jr.) www.preteristsite.com (Dee Dee Warren) www.tektonics.org (J. P. Holding) Quote: "For I will ask them, Did He send the prophets and wise men? Did they slay them in their synagogue? Was their house left desolate? Did all the vengeance come upon that generation? It is quite plain that it was so, and no man gainsays it" (St. John Chrysostom (347-407), Homily LXXIV). ======================================================================== CHAPTER 4: : AMILLENNIAL ======================================================================== Amillennial Specific Distinctions: Christ's return ends history No secret Rapture, no future 7 year Tribulation and no literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth Satan is currently prohibited from exerting all his powers of temptation or from deceiving the nations See much of prophecy fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD The promises made to national Israel, David and Abraham in the OT are fulfilled in Christ and through the Church during this age Promote Progressive Parallelism or Recapitulation - Book of Revelation is not sequential but is divided into sections repeating the same ground but from different perspectives (i.e., events in Revelation 20:1-15 do not follow events in Revelation 19:1-21 but start a new 'retelling' of events in the New Testament era) Historic Amillennialists believe the Millennium is now - entire period from Christ's exaltation until shortly before His 2nd coming Some modern Amillennialists see the Millennium finding fulfillment by the saints currently in heaven Background: Origen (185-253AD) and Augustine (354-430AD) are cited as early proponents of Amillennialism Augustine abandoned Pre-Millennialism believing the idea of an earthly Millennial reign was crass and carnal; believers should focus on heaven instead Amillennialism was the dominant eschatological thought from the 4th up to the late 17th century Nearly all the Reformers were a mix of Amillennial and Historicist in their eschatology Works: Augustine, the father of Amillennialism, wrote The City of God William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (1939) William E. Cox, Amillennialism Today (1966) Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future (1994) Kim Riddlebarger, A Case For Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times (2003) Thological Persuation: Most are Replacement Theology adherents teaching the Church is the fulfillment of national Israel (which was an OT type) Many prefer the term 'Expansion Theology' holding that Gentiles are now brought into the company of the elect along with the Jews Most are Calvinists adhering to Reformed/Covenant Theology (sans Catholic, Greek Orthodox) Ultimate purpose of istory is the redemption of the Elect Adam lived under Covenant of Works - keywords: "do this and live" We live under Covenant of Grace - keywords: "whoever believes" Law/Grace fused together reading the New Testament into the Old Testament The believer's rule of life is to strive to keep the 'moral law' Moses gave on Mt. Sinai Moral and Civil elements of the Mosaic Law are carried over into the New Covenant Employ a double hermeneutic (historical-grammatical method for many passages but also the allegorical and spiritualizing method) Practice Infant Baptism Churches: Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Church of Christ, Southern and Reformed Baptists Seminaries: Reformed , Knox and Westminster Theological Seminaries Past Notables: Origen (185-253AD), Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD), John Calvin, Martin Luther, Abraham Kuyper, Louis Berkhof Oswald Allis, Albertus Pieters, William Hendriksen, Gerret C. Berkouwer, Anthony A. Hoekema, William E. Cox Current Notables: Kim Riddlebarger, David J. Engelsma, Jay E. Adams, Michael Horton, J.I. Packer R.C. Sproul appears to lean to the A-Mil camp but admittedly likes tenets of Pre and Post -Mil as well lennialism, circa 1995) Hank Hannegraaf wrote 'The Apocalypse Code' coining phrase "Exegetical Eschatology" (Partial Preterist, A-Mil leanings) Web Sites: Protestant Reformed Churches of America (www.prca.org), CRTA (www.reformed.org) Grace Online Library (www.graceonlinelibrary.org). Monergism – 'one work of God‘ (www.monergism.com) Quote: "Reformed Amillennialism teaches the church, that is, us who believe and our children, to expect increasing lawlessnessin the world, apostasy from the truth in the churches, the establishment of the kingdom of Antichrist over the entire world, andgreat tribulation for all those who fear God and keep His commandments. To such a world, thus fully developed in sin, will Christ return." (Professor David J. Engelsma, A Defense of (Reformed) Amillennialism, circa 1995) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 5: : POST MILLENNIAL ======================================================================== Post Millennial Specific Distinctives: Christ‘s return ends history Most of Bible prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD No secret rapture, no future Antichrist, no future 7 year Tribulation or literal 1000 year Millennium Believe that Christianity will ever increase and dominate the affairs of this world Some believe Jesus will return during the 'Golden Age‘ of Christianity‘s future influence Some teach a final Satan-lead rebellion before return of Christ Background: Athanasius (296-372AD) and Eusebius (260-340) are cited as sources for Post-Mil thought Joachim of Eloris, a 12th century Roman Catholic scholar, is credited as Middle Ages promoter of Post-Millennialism Systematized in England by Thomas Brightman (1562-1607) and Unitarian Daniel Whitby (1638-1726) Influential from the 16th to the early 20th century with its heyday in the mid-19th century The Puritans were Post-Mil looking to expand the Kingdom of Christ when they came to America The 1st (1730-1760) and 2nd (1790-1830) Great Awakenings added to Post-Mil enthusiasm Worldwide missions (William Carey, Adoniram Judson, David Brainerd, Robert Moffat, Hudson Taylor) work spurred Post-Mil fervor The American Civil War along with WWI and WWII put a major damper on the Post-Millennial movement Proponents of Post-Millennialism state they are 'in it for the long haul' despite setbacks in history Works: Lorraine Boettner, The Millennium (1957) Marcellus J. Kik, An Eschatology of Victory (1974) David Chilton, Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion (1985) Keith A. Mathison, Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope (1999) Gary DeMar, Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church (1999) Theological Persuasion: Most are Calvinists adhering to Reformed/Covenant Theology Most are Replacement Theology adherents teaching the Church has replaced national Israel (see Israel as an OT type) Some hold to 'Dominion Theology' or 'Christian Reconstructionism' believing the Church has the biblical mandate to exercise dominion over all aspects of society (politics, education, arts, media) Reconstructionist notables: Gary North, Kenneth Gentry, David Chilton, R.J. Rushdoony, Gary DeMar, Greg L. Bahnsen Churches: Puritans, Reformed churches, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists Past notables: Charles Hodge, William Carey, B.B. Warfield, J. Marcellus Kik, A.W. Pink, Matthew Henry, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, J. Gresham Machen, Loraine Boettner, Augustus Strong, A. A. Hodge, Greg L. Bahnsen David Chilton (1951-1997) became a Full-Preterist in 1994 before his death The late D. James Kennedy had definite Post-Mil leanings along with Reconstructionist leanings Current Notables: Gary DeMar, Kenneth Gentry, Iain Murray, Kenneth G. Talbot, Keith A. Mathison, Dee Dee Warren, Andrew Sandlin, Pat Robertson Web Sites: Gary DeMar (www.americanvision.org) Kenneth Gentry (kennethgentry.com, www.againstdispensationalism.com) Dee Dee Warren (www.preteristsite.com) Todd Dennis (www.preteristarchive.com) - one of the largest Preterist www sites (although Todd himself is an Idealist) Quote: "There will come a time when in this world holiness shall be more general, and more eminent, than ever it hath been since Adam fell in paradise." - Thomas Brooks, The Crown and Glory of Christianity. (1662). ======================================================================== CHAPTER 6: : HISTORICISM ======================================================================== Historicism Specific Distinctives: Christ's return ends history No distinct future 7 year Tribulation or 1000 year Millennial Kingdom Prophesies of Daniel and Revelation describe events up until the 2nd Advent of Christ (from the time when the prophecies were each written) Book of Revelation began to be fulfilled in John's day and continues to this day Method of interpreting Biblical prophecy by comparing history to the prophecy in question Prophecy can be understood by looking to the past to discover what has and hasn't been fulfilled Method of interpretation allows them to continually re-evaluate their opinions as they grow in their understanding of both history and the Bible Strong belief that the Papacy is the antichrist, not fulfilled in just one person, but rather a dynasty of individuals The "Year-Day" principle - In prophetic language, a day of symbolic time represents a year of actual, historic time The 'horn' of Daniel 7:1-28 is the Papacy in the West and the 'horn' of Daniel 8:1-27 is Islam in the East Believe the 5th trumpet (Revelation 9:1-6) refers to the golden age of the Arabs with the emergence of Islam under Mohammed Believe the 6th trumpet (Revelation 9:13-15) refers to the Turks The Two Witnesses are the bare remnant of Gospel believing churches, after persecution, left to protest the apostasy of the Beast Background: Developed by expositors such as Andreas, Primasius (6th century African bishop) and the English Benedictine monk Bede (730 AD) Catholic bishop Arnulf of Orleans was the first to apply the ‗man of sin‘ prophecy to the papacy (10th century) Catholic abbot Joachim of Floris in 1190 and the archbishop Eberhard II in 1240 also related the papacy to the Antichrist Works: H. Grattan Guinness, The Approaching End of the Age (1878) A.J.L. Haynes, Tomorrow: What do the Prophets Say (1977) George R. Dawe, The Revelation of Jesus Christ the Lord (1990) Dr. Oral Edmond Collins, The Final Prophecy of Jesus (2007) Numerous articles by Dr. Francis Nigel Lee Theological Persuation: Most, if not all, are Calvinists adhering to Reformed/Covenant Theology Reconstructionists also present in the Historicist camp Churches: Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutherans, Methodists and some Baptists Seventh-Day Adventist churches also claim to be Historicist Past Notables: John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Gill, Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, Isaac Newton, Ian Paisley, John Wesley, E. B. Elliott Even Charles Spurgeon is claimed by some to be Historicist Luther believed the Pope was the Antichrist and saw the Revelation being fulfilled in his day Waldensians, Albigenses, Lollards, Lutherans, Calvinists, Hussians and William Tyndale all claimed the papacy was the Antichrist Current Notables: Richard Gunther, Richard Bennett, Dr. Francis Nigel Lee, Joseph L. Haynes, Oral Edmond Collins Web Sites: Joseph L. Haynes (www.historicism.com) Or www.historicism.net Dr. Francis Nigel Lee (www.dr-fnlee.org) Quote: "He who, being a man, a sinful man, makes himself a god as the Pope does, who claims divine powers and prerogatives, is unquestionably a blasphemer, and that antichrist." -- Matthew Henry ======================================================================== CHAPTER 7: : HISTORICAL PRE-MILLENNIAL ======================================================================== Historical Pre-Millennial Non-Dispensational Specific Distinctives: Christ's return does not end history Do not see a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church There is no ‗secret rapture' or 7-year Tribulation Great apostasy and tribulation occur before the return of Christ The Church will be persecuted by the Antichrist This view is similar to Post-Tribulationalism The Millennium separates the "first" resurrection from the "second" resurrection Satan will be bound, and the kingdom will be made visible during the Millennial reign of Christ Satan loosed at the end of the Millennium instigating the rebellion of Gog and Magog God destroys the rebellion and the "second" resurrection or final judgment occurs The creation of a new Heaven and Earth occurs and eternity begins Background: This appears to be the view of many of church fathers up to the 4th century The Didache (circa 90-100 AD) (Chapter 16) contains elements of Futuristic Pre-Mil thought (future Antichrist, Great Tribulation) Ireneaus (140-203), who as a disciple of Polycarp, who had been an disciple of the apostle of John, along with Justin Martyr (100-165), Tertullian (160-225) and Papias (80-155) were Premillennial proponents Pre-third century Chiliasts: Lactanitus, Hippolytus, Methodious, Commodianus Epistle of Barnabas (~ 100 AD) is claimed as an early Pre-Mil document Works: Robert Duncan Culver, Daniel and the Latter Days (Moody Press, 1977) George E. Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation, (1987) Craig Blomberg and Sung Wook Chung, A Case for Historic Premillennialism: An Alternative to "Left Behind" Eschatology (2009) Theological Persuasion: Some are Calvinists and some are Arminians Chruches: Presbyterians, Baptists, independent chruches Some staff at both Fuller Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Evangelical Free) and Denver Seminary Past Notables: F.F. Bruce,, Walter Martin, J. Barton Payne, Heny Alford, Theodore Zahn (German NT specialist), Francis Schaeffer, John Gill, George Eldon Ladd, James Montgomery Boice Charles Spurgeon is also cited as holding Historic Pre-Mil views Current Notables: John Warwick Montgomery, Roger E. Olson, Wayne Grudem, Millard Erickson, Russell D. Moore, Douglas J. Moo, David Pawson, Craig L. Blomberg (Denver Seminary), Gordon Clark, D. A. Carson, Robert Gundry, Mark Driscoll, John Piper Web Sites www.theologue.org/HistoricPremillennialism-WickBromall.html www.theologicalstudies.citymax.com/premillennialism.html www.reformedreader.org/mchart.htm Quotes: "I am not Pretrib. I believe that there is one more coming of Christ not two, and that at that coming he will not take the churchback to heaven but will gather the church to reign on the earth" (John Piper Q&A) "The most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age is the prominent chiliasm, or millenarianism, that is the beliefof a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment." (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, 2:614) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 8: : DISPENSATIONAL PRE-MILLENNIAL ======================================================================== Dispensational Pre-Millennial Specific Distinctives Christ's return does not end history Jesus will return visibly to Earth before the Millennium (also known as ‗Chiliasm' - Latin for 1000) Believe in a future Rapture, Antichrist, False Prophet, 7 year Tribulation, Armageddon, 1000 reign of Christ on Earth Most adhere to Dispensational Theology Ultimate purpose of history is the glory of God Believe Israel and the Church are distinct in origins, promises, missions and futures National Israel: still has a future earthly purpose and will receive her earthly promises of land, blessing and stature The consistent use of a single method of interpreting the Bible (historical-grammatical method) Law and Grace are opposed to each other Teach believer's Baptism only "The believer's rule of life" - Walking after the Spirit Read the Old Testament without New Testament Background: Justin Martyr (AD 100-165) From Adam to Abraham Abraham to Moses Moses to Christ Christ to the eternal state Irenaeus (AD 120-202) From the Creation to the Flood Flood to the Law Law to the Gospel Gospel to the Eternal State (LarryV. Crutchfield, Ages and Dispensations Of The Ante-Nicene Fathers) John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) was the father of modern Dispensationalism recording 7 Dispensations Innocence - Adam Conscience - After man sinned up to the flood Government - After the flood, man allowed to eat meat, death penalty instituted Promise - Abraham up to Moses and the giving of the Law Law - Moses to the cross Grace - The cross to the Millennium Millennium – The literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth centered in Jerusalem Dispensationalism spread from England to America through the writings of the Brethren movement The Bible Institute and Bible Conference movements in the late 1800s helped spread Dispensational fervor The Scofield Reference Bible (1909) along with Dallas Theological Seminary and Moody Bible College helped spread Dispensationalism Dispensationalism today continues to evolve and finds itself split into various schools of thought Traditional: Israel is God‘s earthly people while the Church (a parenthesis in God‘s program for Israel) is God‘s heavenly people Revised: The Church is still the Church and Israel still Israel but are no longer distinct as God‘s earthly or heavenly peoples Progressive: The Abrahamic, Davidic, and new covenants are being progressively fulfilled today as well as having fulfillments in the Millennium. See more continuity between the Church and Israel as opposed to distinctions There are also Acts 2:1-47, Mid-Acts and Acts 28:1-31 Dispensationalists with regards to when the Church began Works: Clarence Larkin, The Greatest Book on Dispensational Truth in the World (1918, 1920) Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (1947, 1993) Charles Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today (1977) Renald Showers, There Really is a Difference (1990) Darrell Bock and Craig Blaising, Progressive Dispensationalism (1993) Robert L. Saucy, The Case For Progressive Dispensationalism (1993) Theological Persuasion: Calvinists and Arminians found within Pre-Millennialism The dominant Dispensational thought today is Progressive Dispensationalism Churches: Baptist, Calvary Chapel, Bible churches, Assemblies of God, Non-Denominational and Independent Past Notables: Lewis Sperry Chafer, John F. Walvoord, C.I. Scofield, Charles Feinberg, Miles Stanford, Dwight L. Moody, Ray Stedman, Arno C. Gaebelein, William R. Newell, F.W. Grant, J. B. Stoney Current Notables: Charles Ryrie, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Craig A. Blaising, John MacArthur, J. Dwight Pentecost, Darrell L. Bock, Robert L. Saucy, Les Feldick, Renald Showers Seminaries: Dallas, Talbot, Grace and Chafer Theological Seminaries, Multnomah School of the Bible, Grace School of Theology, Moody Bible College, Philadelphia College of the Bible (now Cairn University), The Master's Seminary, Baptist Bible College & Seminary (Clarks Summit, PA) Web Sites: Middletown Bible Church (www.middletownbiblechurch.org) www.biblebelievers.com, www.biblicaldispensationalism.com, www.dispensationalberean.com Matthew McGee's GraceLife ministry (www.matthewmcgee.org) The keepers of the late Miles Stanford's www site: (http://withchrist.org/center.htm) Quote: "We believe that Christ must return to earth befgore the thousand years can begin. That which is stated in Revelation 20:1-5 will be literally fulfilled. About this we have not the slightest doubt." (Rev. D. Colin Jones) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 9: : PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE ======================================================================== Pre-Tribulation Rapture Secific Distinctives: Jesus returns in the clouds and raptures living saints off the earth before the 7-year Tribulation period The Church will not go through the 7-year Tribulation period God will again focus on Israel as the Church has been Raptured 144,000 Jews will evangelize the world after the Rapture The Two Witnesses will testify of Jesus, be killed, rise up and then ascend to heaven The battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29) will occur around the time of the Rapture The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be revealed shortly after the Rapture Many of those turning to Jesus will die a martyr's death Jesus returns at the battle of Armageddon and defeats the armies of the Antichrist Jesus reigns for 1000 years upon the throne of David from Jerusalem Israel will receive all of its land promises Believers will reign with Jesus upon the earth The curse will be lifted and the earth will be repopulated by believers surviving the Tribulation Satan is bound for 1000 but is let loose at the end of the Millennium God destroys a Satan-led rebellion of people who do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior The Great White Throne Judgment occurs and eternity future begins Background: Pseudo-Ephraem, allegedly written by Ephraem of Nisibis (306-73), may allude to a Pre-Trib rapture Morgan Edwards, a Calvinistic Baptist pastor, may have been teaching a Pre-Trib Rapture in the 1740's John Darby's reading of scripture led him to believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture in 1827 at 27 years old Most popular (TV, books, radio) 'end times' format today (i.e., the 'Left Behind' series) Works: Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth (1970) - best selling book (secular or sacred) in the 1970s John Walvoord, The Rapture Question (1979) J. Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come (1987) Renald Showers, Maranatha Our Lord, Come! (1995) Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, The ―Left Behind‖ series (1996-2004) Theological Persuasion: Some are Calvinists and some are Arminians Churches: Baptist, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Messianic, Bible churches, Calvary Chapel and Nondenominational churches Past Notables: John Nelson Darby, Lewis Sperry Chafer, John Walvoord, Harry Ironside, Miles Stanford, C. I. Scofield, Zola Levitt, Paul Feinberg Current Notables: Hal Lindsey, Chuck Missler, Tim LaHaye, Jack VanImpe, Chuck Smith, Renald Showers, John MacArthur, John Hagee, Grant Jeffrey, Jimmy DeYoung, Randall Price, Mark Hitchcock, David Reagan, Ron Rhodes, Mal Couch, Thomas Ice, J. Dwight Pentecost, Robert P. Lightner, Mark Hitchcock, J.B. Hixson Seminaries: Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (Ankeny, Iowa ) Tyndale Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, Texas) Web Sites: Todd Strandberg (www.raptureready.com) Prophecy Central (www.bible-prophecy.com) Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (www.foigm.org) Tommy Ice (www.pre-trib.org) Jack VanImpe (www.jvim.org) Quote: "The Tribulation does not deal with the Church at all, but with the purification of Israel. It is not the 'time of the Church's trouble,' but the 'time of Jacob's trouble'." (Thomas Ice, Executive Director of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Wash. D.C.) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 10: : PARTIAL RAPTURE ======================================================================== Partial Rapture Specific Distinctives: Teach that only a small number of Christians in ‗watchfulness and perseverance' will be raptured Those not taken in the Rapture will endure the Tribulation as a time of purification Some believe the 5 foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) are carnal Christians left behind to endure the Tribulation Some see the Transfiguration as a type of rapture wherein only 3 of the disciples were present while 9 were left behind (Matthew 17:1-8) Background: First articulated in the mid-19th century by a small group of Pretribulationists in England Their main publication was The Dawn magazine edited by David M. Panton Robert Govett (1813-1901) was the first proponent of the modern theory of partial rapture in 1853 George H. Lang was its ablest proponent (1874-1958) Works: George H. Pember (1837-1910), The Great Prophecies (London: R. F. Fleming H. Revell Co., 1912)Robert Govett, Entrance into the Kingdom (London: Charles J. Thynne, 1923) George H. Lang, Firstborn Sons Their Rights and Risks (London: Oliphants Ltd., 1943) David M. Panton (1870-1955), The Letters to the Seven Churches (London: R. F. Hunger Printer, 1912) George L. Rose, Tribulation Till Translation (Glendale, CA: Rose Pub., Co., 1943) Charles H. Welch, The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner (London: Fred P. Brininger, n.d.) J.W. White JR., The Partial Rapture Theory Explained (2008) Ray Brubaker, Rapture, A Reward for Readiness (2003) Theological Persuasion: Some are Calvinists and some are Arminians Some hold to charismatic theology Churches: Baptist and some charismatic churches Past Notables: G. H. Lang, Robert Govett, Watchman Nee, Ray Brubaker, Hudson Taylor, Sarah Foulkes Moore, Robert Chapman, D. M. Panton (editor of The Dawn), G.H.Pember, J.A.Seiss, T. Austin Sparks, A. B. Simpson, founder of the American Christian and Missionary Alliance, taught it in parable of the 10 virgins but was more closely associated as a Pre-Millennial Historicist Current Notables: Henry Haney, Troy Brooks (godtube.com), Joey Faust, Robert Wilkin (Grace Evangelical Society) Web Sites: http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/Partial_rapture.htm Henry Haney (www.truthablaze.com) Bible Communications, Inc. (http://www.tanbible.com/tol_knw/tol_knw_partrapt.htm) Jack Shelton (http://members.tripod.com/sheltonjack/id38.htm) Anonymous (http://www.kingdom-gospel.com/rapture.html) Ray Brubaker Files (http://www.raptureme.com/featured/brubaker/brubaker.html) Quote: "He gave His disciples no reason to believe that their readiness for the Rapture rested on any experience of salvation they may have had. He made it pointed and plain that their conduct at the moment of the Rapture meant the winning of the prize." (Sarah Foulkes Moore, Herald of His Coming) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 11: : MID-TRIBULATION RAPTURE ======================================================================== Mid-Tribulation Rapture Specific Distinctives: Divides the 7-year Tribulation into two periods of 1260 days each The first 1260 days is the wrath of the Antichrist Christians will go through first half of the Tribulation The second 1260 is the wrath of God which believers will escape The resurrection of the two witnesses is symbolic of the Rapture of the Church (Revelation 11:1-14) Believers will be raptured at the 7th 'trumpet judgment' (Revelation 11:15) Background: Possibly alluded to by Morgan Edwards in 'Millennium' & 'Last-Novelties' in 1740s at Bristol Baptist Seminary in England Norman B. Harrison writing in 1941 was the chief promoter of the Mid-Tribulation position Works: Norman B. Harrison, The End: Rethinking the Revelation (1941) Gleason Archer, The Rapture: Pre-,Mid-, or Post-Tribulational (1984) Karl Kemp, The Mid-Week Rapture (1991) W. T. Stiles, The Last Days: Let Scripture Be Your Guide (1997) Theological Persuasion: Calvinists and Armininans Churches: Baptist and Independent Past Notables: Norman B. Harrison, James Oliver Buswell, Harold J. Ockenga, Gleason L. Archer Current Notables: Dr. Michael Ford, Karl Kemp, Steve W. Lemke, W. T. Stiles, Dr. Brian Bailey Web Sites: Dr. Michael Ford (http://jonsquillministries.org) Pasi Toivonen (http://www.mantta.fi/~patato/mrapture.html) Deborah (http://www2.dmci.net/~milknhoney/drbrapture.html) Steve W. Lemke (http://www.nobts.edu/Faculty/ItoR/LemkeSW/Personal/midtribulationism.html) W. T. Stiles (www.letscripturebeyourguide.com) Quote: "We will be on the earth during the first half of Daniel's 70th wee. We will not bne on the earth during any part of the fourty-two month super-evil reign of Antichrist, which will begin in the middle of Daniel's 70th week. We will not be here when God pours out His even bowls of wrath. Rather, from the time of the mid-week rapture, we will be reigning with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Karl Kemp, The Mid-Week Rapture, 1991) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 12: : PRE-WRATH RAPTURE ======================================================================== Pre-Wrath Rapture Specific Distinctives: The Church will enter the Great Tribulation which begins at the midpoint of Daniel's seventieth week The Church will be raptured just after the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-17) sometime after the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel but before the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16) The Day of the Lord's wrath begins on the same day the Rapture occurs It recognizes that the Day of the Lord's wrath is distinguished from the Antichrist's Great Tribulation Christians will endure the Antichrist's Great Tribulation but will escape the Day of the Lord's wrath Background: Systematized and promoted by Marv Rosenthal (1900) and Robert Van Kampen (1997) Charles Cooper sees their eschatological position standing on 4 solid legs: One leg involves the Church's exemption from the wrath of God (Pre-tribulationalism) One leg consists of a distinction between the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist (Midtribulationalism) One leg constitutes a distinction between the "great tribulation" and the eschatological Day of the Lord (Posttribulationalism) The last leg shows that the persecution by Antichrist will be cut short before the end of the Seventieth Week, providing the interval between the rapture and Christ's coming at the battle of Armageddon during which time all of the Day of the Lord's wrath, which includes the trumpet and bowl judgments, will be played out Works: Marv Rosenthal, The PreWrath Rapture of the Church (1990) Robert D. VanKampen, The Sign (1992) Robert D. VanKampen, The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple (1997) Heidi L. Nigro, Before God's Wrath: The Bible's Answer to the Timing of the Rapture (2000, 2004) Charles Cooper, God's Elect and the Great Tribulation: An Interpretation of Matthew 24:1-34 & Daniel (2008) Charles Cooper, Fight, Flight, or Faith: How to Survive the Great Tribulation (2008) Theological Persuasion: Calvinists and Arminians Churches: Baptist, Alliance, Community and Independent Past Notables: Robert Van Kampen Current Notables: Charles Cooper, Marv Rosenthal, Ted Montgomery, Toby Vance, Alan Kurschner Dr. Elbert D. Charpie, Dave Bussard, Roger Best, Heidi L. Nigro Web Sites: Charles Cooper (www.prewrathrapture.com) Marv Rosenthal (www.zionshope.org) Dr. Elbert D. Charpie (http://prewrathministries.org/about.html) Strong Tower Publishing (http://strongtowerpublishing.com) Quote: "The Prewrath view states that the Great Tribulation (Antichrist's wrath) begins at the midpoint at the abomination of desolation. Then sometime during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel the Great Tribulation will be cut short with the Second Coming which begins with the rapture. Then the subsequent Day of the Lord's wrath (trumpet and bowls) is poured out upon the ungodly for the remaining part of the 70th week of Daniel." (Prewrath Resource Institute) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 13: : POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE ======================================================================== Post-Tribulation Rapture Specific Distinctives: Christians will endure entire Tribulation of which many will be martyred Believers are raptured at Christ's visible appearing and then return with Him to earth for 1000 years This view is very similar to Historical Pre-Millennialism Background: Though not Dispensational, Justin Martyr (110-165), Ireneaus (120-202), Tertullian (145-220), Hippolytus (160-240), Cyprian (200-260) taught that the Antichrist would persecute the Church Works: Ralph W. Ullmann, That Blessed Hope, A Post Tribulation Event (1937) George L. Rose, Tribulation Till Transition (1943) Robert Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation (1973), First the Antichrist (1997) Roy W. Anderberg, Post Tribulation Rapture: A Biblical Study of the Return of Christ (2008) Theological Persuation: Calvinists and Arminians Churches: Baptist, Independent, Pentecostal, Messianic Past Notables: Walter Martin (the original ‗Bible Answer Man') George Muller, Benjamin Wills Newton (clashed with Darby over eschatology) Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) is also cited as a proponent of Post-Trib thought Current Notables: Greg Koukl, Monte Judah, Ken Kline, Tim Warner, Irwin Baxter Web Sites: Gavin Finley (http://endtimepilgrim.org/posttribrap.htm) William Arnold III (www.apostolic.net/biblicalstudies/post/index.htm) Joel C. Graves (http://www.posttribulationrapture.com) R. Totten (http://worldview_3.tripod.com/tribchurch.html) Tim Warner (www.answersinrevelation.org) Quotes: "Every day we get a little closer to the "Blessed Hope", Jesus Christ returning bodily to take the reins to the kingdoms of this Earth, but we also get even closer to the Great Tribulation. This will be a period so hideous that if Christ were not to return, no flesh would be saved, but for the elects' sake, He will return to take away His Church, all believers not martyred. This will happen "at the last trump" when the living and "the dead in Christ" will be resurrected, "in the twinkle of an eye." This has been labeled the Rapture of the Church and it has also been called the time of preparation for the "marriage supper" of the Lamb. (Robert J. Logston "The End-Times Bloodbath') ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/synopsis-of-end-times-topx-v3/ ========================================================================