The Timing of the Rapture, Part 2 | Session 11

Other Considerations for a Pre-Trib Rapture

• Key Premise: Paul's revelation is new truth that must stand in its own light rather than being folded into previous prophecy
• The Pretribulational Argument:
  1. Distinction between rapture and second coming
     • Rapture is imminent: it can happen any moment, with no warning or precursor
     • The Second coming has specific prophesied signs
       • Signs to occur before Christ's Second Coming:
         • Covenant made with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
         • Abomination of Desolation set up in the temple (Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
         • Great tribulation period (Matthew 24:21-22, Revelation 7:14)
         • Cosmic disturbances (Matthew 24:29, Revelation 6:12-14)
         • Global economic system with mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-18)
         • Gathering of armies at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16, 19:19)
         • Israel's national repentance (Zechariah 12:10-14)
  2. Different purposes
     • Rapture: comfort and hope
     • Second coming: judgment and kingdom ("day of the Lord")
  3. Natures of the Body of Christ and Israel
     1. Distinct Biblical Identities
        • Foundational Differences in Origin
          • Israel: Established through Abraham's physical lineage (Genesis 12:1-3)
          • Church: Established through spiritual rebirth in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
        • Different Compositions
          • Israel: A national, ethnic entity with citizenship requirements
          • Church: A spiritual body where ethnic distinctions are abolished ("neither Jew nor Gentile")
     2. Separate Covenantal Relationships
        • Israel's Unique Covenants
          • Governed by the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New covenants
          • These covenants contain specific promises regarding land, nationhood, and kingdom
        • Church's Distinct Position
          • Operates under the mystery revelation given to Paul
          • Not a party to Israel's national promises and covenants
     3. Prophetic Programs
        • Israel's Program
          • Tribulation period specifically designed for Israel's national restoration
          • Called "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7) - Jacob being Israel
        • Church's Program
          • Exists in the current "dispensation of grace" revealed to Paul
          • Has no prophetic role in Israel's tribulation period
     4. Mutual Exclusivity
        • Logical Incompatibility
          • The programs for Israel and the Church cannot operate simultaneously
          • The Church represents a parenthetical period in God's dealings with Israel
        • Dispensational Necessity
          • God deals with humanity through distinct administrative arrangements
          • Mixing Israel and Church programs creates theological contradictions
     5. Eschatological Distinctions
        • Different Destinations
          • Israel: Promised earthly kingdom with Jerusalem as capital
          • Church: Heavenly citizenship and dwelling (Philippians 3:20)
        • Different Deliverances
          • Israel: Preserved through the tribulation
          • Church: Removed before the tribulation (via the rapture)
• Conclusion: The rapture must occur before the tribulation for biblical consistency

The Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)

The Times and the Seasons (vv. 1–3)

1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Black

A. Prophetic Knowledge Already Known

• Paul shifts from mystery revelation to prophetic content already familiar to the Thessalonians.
• The statement, “ye have no need that I write unto you,” signals previously understood truth.
• Paul uses similar language elsewhere to remind believers of truths already taught (1 Thess. 4:9; 2 Cor. 9:1).

B. Prophetic Vocabulary

• The phrase “times and seasons” (chronōn kai kairōn) reflects established prophetic terminology.
• Appears in Daniel 2:21 and Acts 1:7, both in contexts involving divine control over unfolding history.
• The phrase points to prophetic timing, not natural seasonal changes.

C. Dispensational Relevance

• The truth discussed is part of Israel’s prophetic program, not the mystery.
• Thus, this information, while useful, is not directly applicable to the Body of Christ, who will already be raptured.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – Black

A. Prior Understanding

• The Thessalonians “know perfectly” about the Day of the Lord, showing it was not new revelation.
• Reinforces that Paul is reminding them of prophetic truth, not introducing mystery doctrine.

B. The Day of the Lord in Prophecy

• Common Old Testament theme: a time of divine wrath, judgment, and kingdom restoration.
• Frequently described as a day of darkness and terror (Isa. 13:6–13; Joel 1:15; Amos 5:18–20; Zeph. 1:14–18).

C. “As a Thief in the Night”

• The imagery reflects both Jesus’ own teaching (Matt. 24:43; Luke 12:39–40) and prophetic expectation (Joel 2:1).
• Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of God's intervention.
• Likely communicated orally before any written Gospels were available.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 – Black

A. False Security

• The phrase “peace and safety” denotes a deceptive calm before divine judgment.
• Echoes prophetic warnings against false peace (Jer. 6:14; Ezek. 13:10).
• Jesus also described similar unawareness in the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37–39).

B. Prophetic Timing, Not General Principle

• Paul's use of the future tense shows this refers to a specific time yet to come.
• Not every peace treaty or calm political era fulfills this prophecy.
• It refers to a particular deceptive tranquility preceding the Day of the Lord.

C. “They” vs. “Ye”

• Paul draws a strong contrast between “they” (the unbelieving world) and “ye” (the Thessalonian believers).
• “They” are those who:
  • Remain in darkness.
  • Reject the truth (cf. 2 Thess. 2:10–11).
  • Are spiritually blind and unprepared.

D. The Nature of the Destruction

• Destruction is sudden and inescapable, like labor pains.
• Echoes prophetic imagery of cataclysm (Isa. 13:6–11; Joel 2:31; Zeph. 1:14–18).
• Judgment is not merely historical tragedy but divinely initiated wrath.