The Pre-Wrath Rapture Hoax and Replies to Steve Mullin and Fay

The Pre-Wrath Rapture Hoax

by Greg Alston

The Rapture (RAPTUS, Latin) is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (Vulgate manuscript). It is the "Blessed Hope" of the believer. It has particular relevance to our generation in that we are presently witnessing the manifold signs of the end, as described by Jesus in the "Olivet Discourse" (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21). Although most agree that the Rapture occurs before the 1,000-year reign of Christ (pre-millennial), much debate presently exists over the timing of the Rapture, as it relates to Daniel's Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27).

Three positions have been contested in this debate: pre-trib (before the final seven years); mid-trib (in the middle of the seven years); and post-trib (at the end of the seven years). In 1990 a new position emerged, called "pre-wrath". This view was popularized by Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthal of Zion's Hope, Orlando, Florida. Others, such as Dr. Roland Rasmussen, hold similar but not identical views of the "pre-wrath" Rapture. My purpose for addressing this issue is: 1) to persuade those in the pre-wrath camp, and 2) to attempt to salvage and affirm belief in the pre-tribulation rapture, as the Bible defines it - not as the popular view describes it. Because of certain errors in the classical pre-trib teaching, i.e., Imminency and Inclusivity, "pre-wrath" has been able to gain a measure of acceptance. While revealing some flaws in pre-tribulationism, it ultimately produces greater harm by divesting believers of their place in the pre-trib Rapture.

The Importance of Belief

Jesus said in Matthew 9:28, "as your faith is, so be it unto you." And in Hebrews 6:12, "...imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Enoch had faith for translation as recorded in Hebrews 11:5: "Enoch trusted God to, and that is why He took him (TLB)." "They could not enter in because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19)." To experience the blessings and promises of God, indeed to even know God, it is imperative that we believe. This principle applies throughout our Christian lives and is revealed consistently and repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments. If we don't believe that God will rescue us from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10), then we won't be rescued. If you are persuaded by pre-wrath rapturism, that you must "endure" the Tribulation Week (or five years of it), then you won't experience the pre-tribulation rescue, even though it is taught in Isaiah 26:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 and Luke 21:36, to quote a few.

The seriousness and importance of doctrine is thus revealed, particularly as it pertains to the Rapture. The pre-wrath teaching is not merely "another view." Brother Rosenthal aggressively attacked the pre-trib rapture.[i] His articulate, yet erroneous teaching is causing many to abandon their belief in the Blessed Hope. By so doing, believers also abandon their place in the Firstfruits (pre-trib) Rapture. Every effort, therefore, must be employed to avert this tragedy.

Jesus taught two resurrections (John 5:28,29, Revelation 20:4-6,14). The first resurrection includes the redeemed; the second is for the unsaved. Paul revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:23 that the "resurrection unto life" would occur in stages or orders. He capsulated it in general terms: "Christ, the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming (Parousia)." Greater specificity concerning the number of "stages" is provided elsewhere in Scripture. It is essential that we be specific and comprehensive in our understanding of the First Resurrection and its various stages. Generalizing the first resurrection has caused the present dilemma, i.e., Pre, Mid, Post or Pre-Wrath. This ought not to be, especially since the Scripture is quite clear concerning the orders of the First Resurrection.

The Bible reveals seven stages within the First Resurrection. The first was the ascension of Jesus Christ (John 20:17); the second was that of the O.T. saints (Matthew 27:52,53); the third will be that of firstfruit believers (Revelation 3:10); the fourth will be that of the main harvest believers (Revelation 7:13-15); the fifth will be that of the 144,000 messianic Jews (Revelation 14:1-5); the sixth will be that of the two Jewish witnesses (Revelation 11:12) and the seventh the Tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4). These clear Bible passages reveal that rapture/resurrection occurs before, during and after the Tribulation Week. It is not "either/or."

Jesus clearly stated in Luke 21:36 that there is opportunity to escape ALL. This is reiterated in Revelation 3:10. However, both of these firstfruits Rapture passages are conditional. The former requires that we be "counted worthy" - the latter that we "keep the word of His patience." Paul described the pre-tribulation Rapture as a "prize" (Philippians 3:14) and a "reward" (Hebrews 11:5,6). Thus we should endeavor to be in the pre-trib/firstfruits Rapture (James 1:18), which is the third stage of the First Resurrection. Initial conversion alone does not guarantee pre-tribulation rapture (Matthew 25:10-13). This erroneous teaching is the reason for the pre-wrath rapturists objection, and rightfully so! There is a difference between our Blessed "Hope" (Rapture) and our Blessed "Assurance" (Salvation). Eternal salvation is guaranteed on the basis of Christ's merits. The Rapture, on the other hand, is a "hope" based on personal worthiness wrought by the Holy Spirit (Revelation 3:2-4) and is not assured (Luke 17:32-34). Inclusive (everyone automatically goes) pre-trib rapturism lulls believers to sleep and is not biblically supportable (Revelation 6:9;13:5-7, Daniel 7:21-25, etc.). But to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction and say that there is no pre-tribulation Rapture is equally, if not more destructive to God's people.

Marvin Rosenthal's version of the pre-wrath Rapture places the Rapture approximately five years into the Tribulation Week (21 months before the end of Daniel's 70th week), which according to his semantics, is after the "Great Tribulation" and before the "Day of the Lord." Roland Rasmussen has the pre-wrath Rapture occurring after the Tribulation Week, about two years after Rosenthal. The "Main Harvest" Rapture occurs just prior to the outpouring of God's wrath (Revelation 7:14,15; 8:7). The "Firstfruits" Rapture precedes Daniel's seventieth week (Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2). Both are "pre-wrath," but when does the wrath begin?

Pre-wrath rapturism says the wrath of God begins after the start of Daniel's seventieth week. This is correct - but it starts much earlier than they say. The wrath is first mentioned in the sixth seal (Revelation 6:17) and it is here that the eisegesis of pre-wrath rapturism first becomes apparent. It is here that they must wrest the Scripture from its natural order. Rather than accepting the sequence as it is logically and naturally portrayed, they thrust the sixth seal judgment past all seven trumpet judgments, all the way to the seventh bowl judgment - a full ten chapters later! This, dear saint, is a blatant violation of the Scripture and must be rejected. Jesus reveals seven seals, followed by seven trumpets, followed by seven bowls. We have absolutely no authority or justification to tamper with the divine juxtaposition. We must leave the onset of the wrath of God where God put it - within the seal judgments, in the very early stages of the Tribulation Week.

The Rapture is "pre-wrath" - both of them! The Firstfruits Rapture escapes both the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9) and the judgment of God. The judgment of God occupies the first 9-12 months of the Tribulation Week (more details to follow). I Corinthians 11:31,32 says that if we will judge ourselves, i.e., our carnal nature, then we will not be judged by God. Since the first five seals contain the judgment of God (expressed through the wrath of Satan) we will be exempted from that period - if we have previously judged ourselves (Romans 8:13-17). We have opportunity to escape all - just like Jesus promised in Luke 21:36. But if we do not judge ourselves we will lose that opportunity to escape. That is why Jesus said "remember Lot's wife," and it’s why He gave the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. All ten virgins were Christians (2 Corinthians 11:2,3, Lamentations 2:13) but not all were chaste - thus five went in and five were shut out. The five wise will be kept from the entire hour. Although the five foolish were left behind (Matthew 24:40-25:12), they still have opportunity to escape the wrath of God, which is announced in the sixth seal and released after the half hour of silence in the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-7). Notice carefully that the great multitude in the Main Harvest Rapture washed their previously soiled garments and, as a result, were raptured out - "post-judgment"/"pre-wrath" (Revelation 7:13-15).

The Main Harvest Rapture occurs approximately one year into the Tribulation Week. The seventh trumpet sounds at the middle of the Tribulation (Revelation 11:2,3,15; 12:6), requiring that the previous six trumpets and all seven seals be opened in the first half of the Tribulation Week. The fifth and sixth trumpets together require a period of 18 months (Revelation 9:5,15), occurring prior to mid-trib. This leaves 24 months for the opening of the seven seals and the blowing of the first four trumpets - the first 24 months of the Tribulation Week. One could reasonably estimate that the events described in the first four trumpets will require a year to transpire, leaving the first year for the opening of the seven seals. The wrath of the Lamb starts with the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-7) and the Main Harvest Rapture occurs under the sixth seal, within the first year of the Tribulation Week (Revelation 6:12-7:15).

Under the pre-wrath construct, the Day of the Lord is said to be a 24-hour period (Marvin Rosenthal's version is 21 months), consisting exclusively of wrath and destruction. Yet the apostle Peter wrote: "But beloved do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). "...they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4). The Day of the Lord includes Daniel’s 70^th week and the seventh millennium. The first 2,000 years of Man belonged to the Gentiles (Adam to Abraham); the second 2,000 years were for the Jew (Abraham to Christ); and the fifth and sixth days (2,000 years) are to the Church. 1 Corinthians 10:32 makes these three distinctions. The seventh day, as in the creation account, will be the day of rest in which the earth will be restored to its creator, Jesus Christ.

A 1,000-year period is supported by virtue of the events which are prophesied to occur in the "Day of the Lord." Isaiah 65:20-22 reveals that people will live as long as trees and a person one hundred years old will be considered an infant. The following scriptures indicate plainly that the Day of the Lord cannot be just 24-hours or 21-months long: "In that day (Day of the Lord) the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped" (Isaiah 4:2). "In that day sing to her, 'A vineyard of red wine!' I, the Lord, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day'" (Isaiah 27:3). These scriptures indicate not only that the Day of the Lord is a protracted period, but most of the day yields blessing. The Day of the Lord is a day of wrath and judgment but it is also one of restoration, blessing and peace (Isaiah 11).

The pre-wrath rapturists reduce the Day of the Lord to a 24-hour day of wrath in order to separate it from the Tribulation Week. By so doing, they make the false assumption that the Rapture is post-trib, i.e. after the Tribulation but before the wrath of God. At least they acknowledge that we must be removed before the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9)! The only problem is that they re-write the rule book with their novel (and unbiblical) definitions of the "Tribulation," the "Day of the Lord" and the "Wrath of God." The book of Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the outpouring of the wrath of God requires at least a six-year period (Daniel 9:27, Revelation 6:17; 9:5,15; 13:5, etc., etc.), thus mandating that the Tribulation be included within the Day of the Lord, as indeed the Bible says it is (Isaiah 13:5-7; 34:2,8, Daniel 11:36, Romans 2:8,9). The Day of the Lord starts when the Tribulation Week starts (1 Thessalonians 5:2,3). The Tribulation Week is part of the Day of the Lord - the first seven years.[ii]

Much hangs on what Rosenthal calls "the sign of His coming," derived from Robert Van Kampen's book of the same title, The Sign.[iii] It is alleged that there is just one sign attendant to the second coming of Christ. It must be noted, however, that although the disciples asked "what would be the sign (singular)," Jesus answered their question by giving many signs (Matthew 24:3-31). Jesus gave no less than 15 signs in the Olivet Discourse - count them.

So what's the big deal, you ask. By saying that the only sign of His coming is cosmic disturbances, as does Rosenthal, you also say the Rapture cannot occur until that singular post-trib sign takes place. The "cosmic disturbances" are the darkening of the sun and the moon turning to blood. This does indeed occur at the end of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:29). But because cosmic disturbances also happen both before and during the Tribulation (Exodus 10:21, Ezekiel 32:7-11, Luke 23:45, Joel 2:30, Revelation 6:12; 8:12; 9:2), the Rapture can also be before and/or during the Tribulation. Jesus said these cosmic signs (plural) would increase as we see the day approaching (Luke 21:25). These signs have been with us for many years, i.e., comets, asteroids, blood moons, etc. If the "one sign" premise is accepted, it makes sense that Christ's return must follow that sign. That would place the return of Christ and rapture of believers in Matthew 24:31 - one verse after the "sign of His coming" (Matthew 24:30). I readily agree that Christ's physical return to earth does follow the "sign of the Son of Man." The scripture clearly states that it will. The scripture does not, however, mention the Rapture in Matthew 24:31 - neither does it limit Christ's visitations to earth to this one event.

Matthew 24:31 states that Christ will send His angels to "gather His elect." Let's examine two issues in this connection: 1) who accompanies Christ when He returns, and 2) the identity of "His elect" in Matthew 24:31. Should you learn the biblical answer to these two questions, you will never again be "fooled" by the pre-wrath rapturists. They make great efforts to convince you that only angels accompany Christ when He returns. As you read the following scriptures, please bear in mind that Paul referred to the Christian converts in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2; 14:33) and Rome (Romans 1:7) as "saints."

"In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives...and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two...Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You."

"So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

"Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints.'"

Psalm 149:5-9 verifies that we as His "saints" will be among the armies of heaven with Christ when He returns, "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations..." (Revelation 19:13-15). Both angels and believers return with Christ. Our presence reveals that we must have gone to be with Him (John 14:3) at some time prior to His physical return - a fact that pre-wrath rapturism must attempt to obscure.

"He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord will thresh, from the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; and you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel. So it shall be in that day: the great trumpet will be blown; they will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, and they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, and they shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem."

These passages in Isaiah parallel and interpret Matthew 24:31. First, Israel (Isaiah 45:4) is gathered from the "four winds of the earth" (Revelation 7:1), to Jerusalem - not to the air. The term "from one end of heaven to the other" is a Jewish idiom signifying an earthly gathering (Isaiah 13:4,5). Second, the "great trumpet" calls an earthly assembly of Israel, whereas the "trumpet of God" bodily conveys the saints from earth to heaven (Revelation 4:1). Two different trumpets - two different events - at two different times! Christ does indeed "come twice" when He returns - a concept the unbelieving Jews of His day also could not grasp. He comes first to the clouds of heaven to collect us unto Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3,7) and afterwards returns with us physically to the earth.

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy (APOSTASIA, [physical departure]) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way"

The thief comes to first steal away "his jewels" (Malachi 3:17), just before the judgments of the Day of the Lord begin (Malachi 4:1,3). "Unprepared" believers will have their houses broken into (Luke 12:39), while "prepared" believers will be stolen (taken out of the way) to be with Christ (Matthew 25:1-10). The man of sin is revealed to start the Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:3, Daniel 7:8, Revelation 6:1,2) and will be given authority for two contiguous periods of 3 ½ years (Daniel 7:21-25, Revelation 13:5) - a total of seven years (Daniel 9:27). The first 3 ½ years are noted in Matthew 24:9, the second 3 ½ years in Matthew 24:21.

Prior to his revealing, Jesus takes away His Firstfruits believers (2 Thessalonians 2:1-13, James 1:18). Firstfruits of the wheat harvest will be removed to the barn and the tares bundled (marked) to be burned at a later date (Matthew 13:30) - seven years later!

The church, more specifically the "overcoming" church, is the only viable choice when considering the identity of the Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6,7. Although many prophecy teachers prefer the Holy Spirit in this role, the biblical record does not support this teaching. Nowhere in Scripture do we see the Holy Spirit restraining, combating or hindering evil in any way. Holy Spirit’s function is simply to communicate Jesus Christ to man (John 14:15-17; 16:13-15). God's Holy Spirit convicts mankind and effects salvation in an individual's life (John 3:5-8). That function continues during the Tribulation Week (Joel 2:32), thus necessitating Holy Spirit’s continued presence on earth. If salvation is to occur during the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit cannot be "taken out of the way."

Rosenthal's candidate for the Restrainer is even more unlikely. He contends that Michael the archangel is presently withstanding evil and that it is he who will be removed to allow the emergence of the Antichrist. There are two notable inconsistencies in this assumption: 1) Michael is an angel confined to the heavenly sphere and 2) he engages fallen angels, not mankind. The "man of sin," described in 2 Thessalonians 2, is a man - not an angel. And the man of sin's place of authority is on the earth, not in heaven. For these two reasons alone, Michael the archangel is disqualified as being the Restrainer. Furthermore, the only latter day activity that Michael participates in is found in Revelation 12 where he casts Satan (another angel) to the earth. Rather than passively being "taken out of the way," Michael aggressively engages Satan in mortal combat. Also, the timing of this event is wrong. Michael "casts Satan down" at the middle of the Tribulation Week, whereas the Restrainer is "taken out of the way" at the beginning of the Tribulation.

The Church, on the other hand, fulfills perfectly the function of restrainer (KATECHO). The word means to bind, to hold down - precisely the commission given to the Church in Matthew 16:18,19. The Body of Christ withstands evil just like Christ did (Colossians 2:15). Overcoming Christians, as described in the first three chapters of Revelation, stand in that role today. The presence of Christ and His overcoming Church in the earth prevents the Antichrist from being loosed and revealed. Once they are removed, however, the man of sin will come forth to seize authority over the nations (Daniel 7:25).

[i]. Marvin Rosenthal, Zion's Fire (Zion's Hope, Orlando, FL, March/April, 1997) p. 10.

[ii]. Avi Ben-Mordechai, Signs in the Heavens - A Jewish Messianic Perspective of the Last Days and Coming Millennium (Colorado Springs, CO: Millennium 7000 Communications Int'l., 1996) pp. 249, 283.

[iii]. Rosenthal does make a valid point in showing that the biblical requirement for a sign(s) militates against "Imminency" (belief that the Rapture is "signless" and could have occurred any time during the past 2,000 years). His arguments are sufficient to invalidate that doctrine.

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