PRETRIBULATIONISM Part I

biblical literature | Definition, Types, Significance, Survey, & Development | Britannica

THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

PRETRIBULATIONISM

Pretribulationism is an eschatological (end-times theology) position holding that the Rapture of the Church will occur before the seven-year period of Great Tribulation described in biblical prophecy. 

This viewpoint is rooted in a literal interpretation of specific biblical passages and makes a clear distinction between God’s plan for the Church and His future judgments upon Israel and the unbelieving world. 

Core Beliefs of Pretribulationism

  • Timing: Believers are “caught up” (raptured, from the Latin raptus, meaning “seized” or “carried off”) to meet Christ in the air before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins.

  • Imminence: A central tenet is that the Rapture is an “imminent” event, meaning it could happen at any moment without any preceding prophetic signs.

  • Purpose of the Tribulation: The Tribulation is seen as a time of God’s wrath and judgment on an unbelieving world, as well as a period specifically focused on bringing the nation of Israel to repentance (referred to as the time of “Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7).

  • Deliverance of the Church: Proponents argue the Church is promised deliverance from this period of wrath, not preservation through it, citing passages like 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and Revelation 3:10. 

Key Scriptural Support

Advocates for the pretribulation rapture often cite the following passages:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: Describes the Lord’s descent from heaven, the dead in Christ rising, and living believers being “caught up” together to meet Him in the air.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Refers to believers being changed “in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye”.

  • Revelation 3:10: Interpreted by pretribulationists as a promise to “keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world”. 

Distinction from Other Views

Pretribulationism is one of several views on the timing of the Rapture. Other major positions include: 

  • Midtribulationism: Posits the Rapture occurs halfway through the seven-year Tribulation.

  • Posttribulationism: Holds that the Church will endure the entire Tribulation period and be raptured at Christ’s visible Second Coming at the end.

  • Pre-Wrath: Suggests the Church is raptured before the final, most severe outpouring of God’s wrath in the latter part of the Tribulation. 

For further study, resources like Bible Hub and GotQuestions.org offer detailed articles on the different eschatological positions. 

BIBLE DICTIONARY ONLINE PRETRIBULATIONISM
In Christian eschatology,

pretribulationism is the belief that the Rapture (the “catching up” of all Christian believers to meet Jesus in the air) will occur before the seven-year period of global hardship and divine judgment known as the Tribulation. 

Key Concepts
  • Rapture: Derived from the Latin word raptus (meaning “seized” or “carried off”), this is the event described in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 where believers are transformed and taken to be with the Lord.
  • Tribulation: This future period, described in detail in the book of Revelation and other prophetic books like Daniel and Isaiah, is often seen as a time of God’s wrath poured out on an unbelieving world and a time of specific judgments for Israel.
  • Imminence: A central tenet of pretribulationism is that the Rapture is an “imminent” event, meaning it could happen at any moment without any preceding signs. This contrasts with the later Second Coming, which will be preceded by specific, recognizable signs. 
Biblical Support Cited by Proponents
Advocates of pretribulationism cite several scriptures to support their view: 
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: This passage describes the mechanics of the rapture itself: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command… And so we will always be with the Lord.”
  • Revelation 3:10: This verse, addressed to the church in Philadelphia, is interpreted by many as a promise of complete deliverance from the time of judgment: “Because you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world…”
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:10: Believers are described as those “who rescue us from the coming wrath”. 
Distinctions from Other Views
Pretribulationism is one of several viewpoints on the timing of end-times events: 
  • Midtribulationism: Posits the church will go through the first half of the Tribulation but be raptured at the midpoint.
  • Posttribulationism: Holds that the church must endure the entire Tribulation period and is raptured at Christ’s visible Second Coming at the very end.
  • Pre-Wrath Rapture: Suggests the church will be raptured after the Antichrist is revealed but before the most severe divine wrath is poured out.
Historical Context
Critics note that the fully developed doctrine became prominent in the 19th century, popularized by figures like John Nelson Darby. Proponents, however, argue that the underlying ideas of a sudden, imminent return and a distinct future for Israel and the Church have roots in earlier Christian writings and that Daniel 12:4 suggests such prophecies would be understood in the “time of the end”.