On his TV program yesterday, Pat Robertson did a teaching on eschatology.  As I expected, he managed to reiterate his long-standing post-tribulation position -- that the rapture will be at the end of the tribulation.

Some points:

1.  As usual, he uses Matthew 24 as his justification, ignoring the fact that verses 37 onward clearly speak of a surprise coming during a time of normalcy.  If after the tribulation, it would not be a surprise, but would be at the end of a virtual countdown of calamities and events.  And it would certainly not be in a time of normalcy after half of the world's population has been killed.

2.  I am sorry to say that he mocked pre-tribbers, almost laughing, saying that this is only a uniquely "American doctrine."  That is pure ignorance, ignoring millions of faithful and knowledgeable believers in nations all over the world, many suffering greatly, who are looking for the Savior and the promised deliverance and catching away.  It is not just in the more affluent West.

3.  He did refer to "the blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) but sees that at the end of the tribulation.  However, if it comes after the tribulation, the future is a dread, not a hope.  God gives us a blessed hope, not a cursed dread.

Titus 4:8 says, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."  Sometimes I think this verse tells us that not every believer will make the rapture, or "first rapture" as some call it, but only those who love His appearing and are looking for Him.  We receive what we believe for, so maybe pre-trib mockers will be left behind as they believe and apparently desire.

Jim